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| Thursday, 30 December 2004 |
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by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi The Health Ministry yesterday took a decision to acquire Government and Private buildings in the tidal wave ravaged areas to be used as health camps as the authorities mounted the biggest ever disease control operations to combat the outbreak of epidemics in the disaster hit zones. In addition, the Ministry yesterday decided to shift health staff from normal areas to affected areas. "Accordingly, health staff starting from Deputy Provincial Directors to other ranks are being shifted to the affected areas." "We have taken all preventive measures to avert an outbreak of epidemic diseases such as diarrhoea, typhoid and dengue in the aftermath of the disaster," a Health Ministry spokesman told the Daily News yesterday. "We also expect stricken victims to be alert and vigilant," he added. Already, a number of health teams comprising local and foreign personnel have been dispatched to affected areas. "These teams are facing difficulties due to the lack of proper infrastructure facilities such as buildings. Following permission granted by the President, Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has now decided to acquire state and private buildings to set up those facilities." The official said steps have been taken to distribute chlorine to refugee camps to purify the water being provided to the victims. "Coordinators have been attached to the camps. They have been advised to introduce chlorine to water tanks provided by the Water Board. This would help to prevent any epidemics." He said the Urban Development Authority (UDA) is now constructing latrines in affected areas. |
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