Mangalore: State Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader has informed that passengers at the Mangalore and Bangalore airports will be screened from Saturday August 8 onwards as a measure to check the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.

Speaking to reporters  here on Friday August 8 after inspecting the new mortuary and under construction sewage treatment plant at the Wenlock Hospital, the minister said even Kerala government would be requested to screen passengers at airports. He further made a request to those travelling to African nations to either postpone or if possible cancel their visits in the wake of the Ebola threat.

He said the new mortuary coming up at Wenlock Hospital would be fully equipped with modern facilities and also facilities for people visiting the mortuary. On the sewage treatment plant, the minister said the treated water will be used for toilets and gardens.

Regarding the demand for a government medical college in Mangalore, the minister said  the availability of land has been a problem.

The Minister informed on the occasion that government staff and their families will get health cover under Arogya Sanjeevini scheme.

Mangalore South MLA JR Lobo who was also present suggested that Wenlock should be considered as a regional trauma centre. Responding to this, the minister said he would take up the matter with the Chief Minister.

Earlier, JR Lobo also visited the KMC Hospital and enquired the condition of the 2 year old boy who was injured in a stray dog attack at Kudroli on Thursday August 7.