New Delhi, Aug 21 - State governments had 'chickened out' of their responsibilities and were to be blamed for not doing enough to control the spread of the H1N1 virus or improve health infrastructure, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Friday.

'Some states are doing good but majority of states have not done well. Instead of me chasing them, they must chase me. Health is a state matter and so each state is duty bound to protect the lives of their people,' Azad said while addressing a state health ministers' conference here.

He said states must shed their lethargy and do everything to control and contain the spread of the virus.

'I would request the state government to spend more to improve the healthcare sector, but I am afraid if they are chickening out. I am afraid whatever I provide will not benefit much.