Bengaluru : The Finance department has set aside Rs 22.7 crore for installing ventilators in all the district hospitals, said Minister for Health and Family Welfare, U T Khader.

This apart, 25 taluks will be getting ventilator facility. The minister was addressing a press conference at the Vikasa Soudha in the City on Saturday.

He directed officials of the Department of Health and Family Welfare to screen H1N1 cases effectively.

Also, special laboratories would be set up in parts of North Karnataka to test for H1N1 cases.

“Mysuru, Mangaluru, Bagalkot, Hubballi and Ballari districts would have these special labs,” he said.

Khader said even as the World Health Organisation has approved only two tests for dengue, private hospitals are conducting various other tests. Such hospitals would be penalised, he warned.

Speaking in support of the State government’s decision to celebrate Tipu Jayanti, Khader said, “We all know that Tipu Sultan respected people from all religions. The Minority department decided to observe his birthday as a day of importance,” he said.

Khader also held the protesters responsible for the death of two persons during the protests organised in Kodagu earlier this week.