A promising move

One common feature of most conflicts around the world is that civilians are usually caught in the crossfire, literally and metaphorically. Guerrilla outfits regularly use civilians as a human shield and suppress the ordinary population in areas where they dominate. The LTTE, one of the most ruthless terrorist organisations in the world, is no exception.

Thousands of civilians especially in the East have managed to leave these areas to enter cleared areas, even though the LTTE tried its best to keep them forcibly. While this did make the Security Forces' task easier, as there were no civilian casualties in military drives, the authorities now face the challenge of housing, feeding and providing healthcare to these Internally Displaced People (IDPs) in the Eastern Province.

Although the Government's eventual aim is resettling all IDPs in their original villages, it is not possible overnight as setting the groundwork for resettlement, including de-mining and establishing a civilian administration, will take time. Until resettlement commences in earnest, the Government has to provide all welfare facilities to the IDPs at the 88 camps scattered throughout the province.

One of the main concerns that arises when running an IDP camp is whether adequate hygiene and healthcare facilities could be provided in such a congested environment. But the provision of such facilities is the only way to prevent the outbreak of contagious diseases. Sri Lanka has had a good record in this regard - even the massive influx of nearly one million IDPs to makeshift camps in coastal areas battered by the tsunami failed to make a dent.

Many foreign experts praised Sri Lankan health authorities for this remarkable achievement. This does not mean that things should stand as they are. The Government has now embarked on an ambitious programme to provide a full healthcare package to all at IDP camps. It will continue once they resettle in their original villages.

This follows a discussion held with the participation of Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva, Senior Presidential Advisor Basil Rajapaksa and health officials.

Under this programme, more medical teams are being assigned to the Eastern province, hospitals are being upgraded and a special nutrition programme is implemented. Drinking water facilities, toilets and garbage disposal systems will be provided. All these are basic and essential facilities needed for human habitation.

Instructions have been given to Deputy Director General of Health Services in Batticaloa and the Eastern Provincial Health Services Director to maintain continuous health services to the IDPs until they are relocated in their original homes.

The implementation of an enhanced healthcare system for the East augurs well for its population, who have suffered for decades. Hopefully, this is only the beginning as the Eastern Province and the Northern Province lag behind the other provinces in terms of healthcare facilities.

The Government should take all possible steps to develop healthcare facilities in the two provinces even as the search continues for a permanent solution to the conflict.