CHENNAI: The State fertility rate has declined to 1.4% from 2.1%, and the population is under control, said Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Monday. He added that the rate was expected to further decrease in the next census.

“In the last 2 years, over 6 lakh women and 2,500 men have undergone permanent family planning in the State. Over 1.67 lakh women have taken contraceptive injections. As the fertility rate dips, it led to population control in TN. Premature babies and other complications in new-borns have been reduced drastically with proper treatment,” said Subramanian.

Former health minister C Vijayabaskar told reporters that influenza cases have been increasing and government and private hospitals in the State lack adequate bed facilities. Subramanian responded, “At least 45 influenza cases are reported in Tamil Nadu daily. Over 1 lakh beds are available across the State. In the last 2.5 years, we’ve set up more than 75,000 beds at the health centres.”

Talking about Minister Senthilbalaji, who was admitted to Omandurar hospital recently, the minister stated that the he had lipomas in the kidney. “The hospital will provide more details by Tuesday and treatment will be given accordingly,” he said.

Updating the media on DMDK president Vijayakanth, who was admitted in a private hospital due to a throat infection, Subramanian said that the he was in the ICU but doing well and stable.