WHO refutes London lies

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The London Times and Daily Telegraph reported that there were 1,400 IDP deaths during a time of one week but this is completely inaccurate.

There were only 163 deaths from June 15 to July 15, during a one month period.

The news reports only created a significant negative impact on the Sri Lankan Government’s good work done for IDPs, WHO Representative to Sri Lanka, Dr. Firdosi Rustom Mehta said.

According to Dr. Mehta, Crude Mortality Rate (which is the most important health indicator related to this issue) of IDPs is only 5.6 deaths in June and it remained below the minimum specified level.

According to international standards and the total number of IDPs in the camps, it should be between 6.6 and 13.2.

The rate reported in June, 5.6 is even lower than the minimum level certified by the standards.

According to Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage an email containing the same fabricated news reports published by the foreign media is circulating all over Sri Lanka and abroad which is aimed at slinging mud on Sri Lanka and the Government.

The number of IDP deaths in June was only 208 and the number was 254 in May.

But according to the fabricated report published in foreign media 200 IDPs were dying per day. According to Dr. Kahandaliyanage arrangements have already been made to produce an accurate daily detailed report on IDP deaths to the Ministry.

A mechanism to improve the cause of death reporting will be instituted with leadership of forensic pathologists. A permanent JMO is posted to Vavuniya GH and direct reporting of the deaths would occur to the Disaster Management Unit of the Healthcare Ministry.

According Dr. Hussain Mazul of UNICEF steps have been taken by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry to upgrade the nutrition level of the IDPs and eradicate malnutrition. The nutrition conditions have improved significantly and figures will match with national levels within a period of another six months.