The Congress on Friday intensified its attack on the Chhattisgarh government over recent malaria-related deaths, demanding the resignation of Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal and alleging serious shortcomings in the state's disease surveillance and testing system.

State Congress Medical Cell chairman Dr. Rakesh Gupta accused the government of failing to ensure adequate availability of Rapid Diagnostic Test (RDT) kits for malaria, claiming the shortage has adversely affected screening and early detection in several districts.

Congress Cites Stock Report

Addressing the issue, Dr. Gupta referred to the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited (CMSCL) stock report dated July 30, 2026, alleging that only 3,588 malaria Rapid Diagnostic Test kits were available in government warehouses across the state.

He claimed that several districts currently have no RDT kits in stock and questioned how frontline health workers are conducting malaria screening under such circumstances.

"If rapid test kits are unavailable, on what basis are Mitanins and field health workers diagnosing malaria? Is the entire system relying only on blood smear tests, or has screening itself been affected?" he asked, urging the Health Minister to clarify the situation.

Deaths Trigger Political Row

The Congress raised the issue following recent malaria-related deaths reported from Kanker district, where four people, including three students and one woman, lost their lives.

Health authorities have confirmed malaria cases in villages including Sardi, Domargarh, Madepote and Chichgaon, where more than 30 people have tested positive. Medical teams have established health camps and are conducting screening, testing and treatment in the affected areas.

The opposition alleged that the deaths exposed weaknesses in the state's malaria prevention strategy and accused the government of failing to respond effectively to the outbreak.

Government Accused of Concealing Ground Reality

Dr. Gupta further alleged that the Health Minister was attempting to downplay the seriousness of the malaria situation.

He also referred to malaria-related deaths reported in parts of Kabirdham district, claiming that the government's public statements did not accurately reflect the conditions on the ground.

According to the Congress, delays in diagnosis and inadequate preventive measures have contributed to the worsening situation in vulnerable tribal regions.

Reference to Previous Malaria Campaign

The Congress highlighted the previous government's 'Malaria Mukt Bastar Abhiyan', stating that the programme had significantly reduced malaria prevalence through extensive door-to-door screening and timely treatment.

The party claimed that the current administration has failed to sustain those gains and has weakened the public health response in malaria-prone districts.

Questions Over Mosquito Net Distribution

Apart from testing infrastructure, the Congress also questioned the procurement and distribution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets.

The party alleged that delays and administrative lapses have affected preventive measures in vulnerable communities and warned that the situation could deteriorate further if immediate corrective steps are not taken.

Demand for Accountability

The Congress has urged Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai to remove the Health Minister from office, holding him accountable for the state's handling of the malaria situation.

The state government has not yet issued a detailed response to the Congress' allegations regarding the availability of malaria testing kits. Health authorities, however, have maintained that screening, testing and treatment activities are continuing in the affected districts.