CHENNAI: After footballer Priya’s death at a government hospital (GH), several similar cases due to medical negligence have surfaced at GHs in the city.

But Health Minister Ma Subramanian on Monday dismissed them as rumours and asserted that there was no negligence in treatment at any GHs.

“False information is being spread about medical negligence at GHs but people do not believe it. At least 6 lakh people benefit daily through GHs and over 70,000 persons receive inpatient treatment. There are at least 10,000 surgeries performed in the government sector,” he said, and urged the public to not spread or believe misinformation.

Talking about the NEET exemption bill, the health minister said that it has been sent from the President to the Home Ministry, Health Department and Education Department. “The health and education departments have raised questions to the State regarding the bill. The State government has answered those questions and is awaiting President’s approval,” he said.

Subramanian had participated in a ceremony to celebrate DMK’s youth wing secretary

Udayanidhi Stalin’s birthday, and distributed gold rings to 13 children born in the last 2 days in Saidapet constituency.

Responding to queries on the revised testing guidelines for COVID, he said that 2% of passengers arriving at Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Tiruchy airports were tested in the last 2 days. “Though WHO has advised to discontinue such practices at airports, over 30,000 people have tested positive in China in the last one week. The State government will discuss with the Union Health Ministry about imposing restrictions and testing passengers from China,” he explained.