LTTE extorting Northern doctors, says Health Minister

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: Healthcare and Nutrition Minister and the Leader of the Government's Peace Delegation Nimal Siripala De Silva has told Japanese special peace envoy Yasushi Akashi that the LTTE takes ransom and taxes from doctors serving in the North.

These doctors are desperately trying to get themselves transferred to Colombo or any other part of the country, the Minister has apprised the visiting peace envoy.

A Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman quoted the Minister as saying that some doctors serving in the North had requested permission to migrate.

Further explaining the situation in the uncleared areas, Minister De Silva had pointed out that Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry has already sent 5,000 nurses and 600 midwives to the State hospitals located in the North and East.

Government's `Gama Neguma' programme is now in progress in Vakarai and Batticaloa and this programme will bring a major development to the area.

"The LTTE take ransoms and taxes from doctors who serve in uncleared areas and the lives of the doctors who do not pay are in danger. Due to this condition a number of doctors have already migrated or obtained transfers to Colombo and other areas.

The rest of the doctors try to obtain transfers. The Ministry faces great difficulties in providing healthcare facilities to uncleared areas in the middle of these problems," the Minister had stated.