Better healthcare services for civilians arriving in Government controlled areas

All measures have been taken by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry to upgrade and expedite the healthcare services provided to civilians from Mullaitivu arriving in Government controlled areas including the sick brought by sea by the ICRC.

This follows discussions Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva had with Ministry officials and other relevant officials at his Ministry yesterday. It was revealed at this meeting that the ICRC had brought 1,150 patients from Mullaitivu to the Trincomalee Hospital in three stages, a Ministry release said.

Some of these patients have been transferred to the Vavuniya, Thambalagamuwa, Kantalai and Polonnaruwa Hospitals. The number of the patients at these hospitals at present are Vavuniya - 700, Trincomalee - 569, Polonnaruwa 542. Since influx of any more patients would create problems it was decided to transfer minor category patients at Vavuniya hospital to Mannar and Medawachchiya Hospitals and minor category patients in Kantalai and Trincomaleee to Dambulla and Matale hospitals.

Minister de Silva also directed that additional consultants, medical officers and Nurses be dispatched to Mannar and Medawachchiya hospitals to strengthen existing services. It has also decided to attach a batch of 1,500 newly passed out nurses to Vavuniya hospital for a six month period as an emergency measure.

A three member Committee comprising Deputy Director General Dr. Wimal Jayantha, Dr. Sivakumaran and Nursing Director Mrs. Daya Ubhayawardena was appointed to co-ordinate the supplying of food and lodging facilities for health staff dispatched to the North to attend on civilians.

Apart from this a team of eight consultants will be dispatched to Vavuniya within the next few days.