Nipah Virus Outbreak: Kerala CM Invites Gorakhpur’s Dr. Kafeel Khan to Work in Kerala

Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, in his latest Facebook post, has thanked Uttar Pradesh’s Dr. Kafeel Khan for offering his help to contain the recent outbreak of Nipah virus in the state. The post also highlights how all the other doctors, as well as health professionals, have risked their lives to serve those affected by the virus.

“For all these doctors, their love for fellow human beings is what stands out foremost in their actions,” the post said.

The CM’s post came after Dr. Kafeel Khan expressed his wish to help the patients in Kerala, via his post on Facebook. Through his post, he requested the Kerala CM to allow him to ‘save innocent lives’ and also praised the efforts of Sister Lini, the nurse who succumbed to the infection on May 21.

“Sister Lini is a inspiration and I am more than willing to sacrifice my life for the noble cause,” Khan wrote in his post.

However, Dr. Kafeel did reiterate that the CM has acknowledged his help only through his social media post. “I have come to know about the honourable CM’s offer only through social media. I am thankful to him and awaiting formal communication from his side,” he said to Newsclick.

Meanwhile, the Central team which visited the Nipah infected region has expressed satisfaction over the measures taken by the state government. Chairman of the National Center for Disease Control is stationing in the state and a team of AIIMS doctors will arrive today to assist the state team.

With the death of the nurse, the death toll for the Nipah virus in the state has gone up to 10. The Minister of Health in Kerala, K.K. Shailaja said in a press meet today that two patients in critical condition still under treatment too were tested positive. While the health officials are now attempting to trace the people who were in direct contact with the infected, the health minister has expressed confidence in tackling the situation.