Azad also blamed the state governments for not giving due attention to health.

'Some states are doing good but majority of states have not done well (on controlling swine flu). Health is a state matter, and so each state is duty bound to protect the lives of their people,' Azad said.

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

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

Currently, India spends 1.41 percent of its gross domestic product (GDP) on health but more efforts are required on the parts of central and state government to mobilise resources.

Azad also announced that the government has given permission to 20 private laboratories to conduct swine flu tests and reiterated that there was no need to panic as the spread of the virus was being controlled.

So far, India has reported over 2,400 H1NI positive cases of which at least 36 have died.

'We have increased government testing laboratories from 18 to 23 and have also allowed 20 private laboratories to conduct the swine flu test,' the health minister said.

Minister of State for Health Dinesh Trivedi said the government was open to have more testing labs, provided they have infrastructure and quality. 'More the merrier. But there will be no compromise on quality.'