A knock out blow

The surge in the world oil prices to an all time high of US $ 107 a barrel is bound to deal a knock out blow to most Third World economies considering the overwhelming reliance on this vital commodity for domestic purposes.

Sri Lanka too is placed in a grave predicament given that 65 per cent of the country’s power generation is through fuel driven thermal power. A decision on whether to increase electricity tariffs were to be taken last night at Cabinet.

Even if domestic consumers are spared an immediate power hike it will only be a matter of time before the crunch will begin to bite.

With our hydro power projects that are now under commission, several years away from completion and the prospecting for oil in the Gulf of Mannar too still in the research stage, how long can the economy, already debilitated by a costly war, take the recurring blows dealt by oil price hikes in the world market is no doubt a daunting prospect which the Government would do well to address without delay.

Apart from the overall implications on the larger economic picture the knock down effect the present oil price hike would have on day to day living could be more disturbing with even the price of a humble pol roti bound to go into a tailspin.

The spin off effect will also be felt in the domestic kitchen with the prices of fish, vegetables etc. all determined by the transport factor bound to escalate.

The predicament the country is confronting today is similar to the one that befell us in 1976 at the height of the OPEC crisis which was beyond the control of the Government of the day as everyone knew but nevertheless inflicted it with dire electoral consequences.

The Government should look for ways that would cushion the effect of the present hike on vulnerable sections of society and also ensure present subsidies on certain essentials remain in tact. This would mean sacrifices by the rest of the population such as reducing domestic power consumption and truncation of other creature comforts.

We have been saying this in these columns ad nausem but it merits repetition. The authorities should enjoin state sector institutions to lead by example by switching off nightly illuminations, turning off idle fans and air conditioners and other electric appliances that can be done without.

The appeals have yet to be driven home to many such bodies including the Colombo Municipal Council whose bulbs were captured burning well into high noon in a picture caption we produced the other day. Such crass indifference is also witnessed in other Government institutions.

There was once a time when late night film shows were banned to overcome the power crisis. The time may come when similar drastic measures may be necessary. It is however prudent that the Government takes the people into its confidence on the unfolding scenario and elicit their cooperation to tide over the present emergency until the abatement of the crisis.

Health sector gets healthier

Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva’s move to commence an awards scheme to appreciate and reward the services by the health sector minor staff is a timely move considering the important role played by this segment of workers in the overall success in the health administration.

Addressing the Media on Wednesday the Minister said “the Health Ministry has turned a new leaf by recognising the health staff for the first time in the country’s history”. Inherent in the Minister’s statement is the acknowledgement that the second level staff is a vital cog in the health administration wheel that inexorably revolves to keep the pulse of ailing and suffering ticking.

More than in any other field the Health sector assumes a great importance by the very nature of its calling. While doctors naturally assume the pre-eminent position in the hierarchial structure, by virtue of the sheer organisational capacity needed to run the health sector as an institution, the role of its secondary staff cannot be overemphasised, belittled or taken for granted.

This is more so in a field dedicated to the noble task of healing the sick and the suffering. It goes without saying that a happy and contended health staff would go a long way towards improving the service in our hospitals and bring the necessary care and solace to the patients.

It is hoped with the move to appreciate their worth the health sector staff would apply themselves with extra diligence and devotion in assisting in the noble endeavour of healing and work as a team to make the tasks of the doctors and the medical staff that much easier.

This move to acknowledge their services in a tangible form is also hoped would stem the wave of strike action in Government hospitals and persuade them to perform their duties with more responsibility, keeping in mind the welfare of the patient.