More doctors, nurses for IDP villages

Nadira Gunatilleke

Addressing a press briefing held at his office yesterday Minister De Silva said that at present there are 75 doctors (including 10 specialist doctors) and 90 nurses serving the welfare villages.

OIC of IDP Healthcare Dr. Isara Kottegoda said that 372 health workers such as PHIs, PHNs and MOHs serve at the welfare villages. Six referral centres and 18 primary health care centres are also in operation.

The present death rate of the welfare villages set up for IDPs is 2 to 5 deaths per day whereas international standards is between 6 to 12 deaths per day.

It becomes an issue only when it exceeds 12 deaths per day. The very low death rate of the IDP camps is a very good indicator of the high quality health care service available for IDPs, Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva said.

Hundred more doctors and 200 nurses will be posted to serve in the welfare villages from September 15. Communicable diseases such as chickenpox, hepatitis and typhoid have been reduced significantly in the welfare camps, IDP care and all drugs are freely available for the IDPs. Dr. Kottegoda said Cheddikulam hospital will be taken over by the Government as soon as Cabinet approval is received.

Cheddikulam hospital has already been developed as a base hospital with the assistance of Italian and German Governments. Donor agencies such as WHO, WB and UNICEF continue to assist IDP healthcare, he said.