Congress-led UDF Opposition in Kerala today staged a walkout in the assembly,protesting against health minister P K Sreemathi's 'foreign trip' when the state was in the grip of fever and alleged that the LDF government was 'indifferent' to the swine flu situation.

Opposition leader and former Chief minister Oommen Chandy demanded that government call back Sreemathi, who left for the US yesterday, considering the serious situation and the difficulties faced by the state's people.

Seeking leave for an adjournment motion on the matter, Chandy said government failed to take appropriate preventive measures which led to spurt in fever cases during the monsoon season.

Government decision to implement special cadre system in a hurry and subsequent transfer of doctors aggravated the situation as several government hospitals were left with less number of doctors, Chandy said.

Chandy said Sreemathi had gone to the US to attend a meeting of the Malayalees Association in North America (FOKANA) which could have been avoided when the state was in the grip of fever.

Refuting the charge, Industries minister Elamaram Kareem said the fever was under control and 'there is no alarming situation in the state'.

As government had taken necessary steps, number of fever cases were less compared to previous years, he said.

However, he said government viewed the situation "very seriously.The government hospitals have doctors, para-medical staff and enough stock of medicines," he said.

Referring to H1N1 influenza situation, he said during June, 30 persons died of swine flu and seven others due to other types of fever.

Justiying Sreemathi's visit, he said it was for getting latest treatment technology in cancer and diabetes.

Speaker K Radhakrishnan refused leave for the motion after Kareem's reply, leading to the UDF walkout.