Cuban BTI available shortly

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

There are various media reports on BTI. Government paid money to the Cuban Government to obtain the BTI bacteria about a month ago and the Cuban Government will provide it to Sri Lanka shortly, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

According to Minister Sirisena the Government paid US $ 260,000 to obtain 10,000 units of BTI bacteria from Cuba and once arrived, will be used as a pilot project to be implemented in Akurana and other selected areas. Around 60,000 households in Akurana will be covered by the pilot project. Minister Sirisena pointed out that there are legal problems, technical problems and many other issues that should be taken care of before using BTI because if something goes wrong many other problems will arise along with it.

At the moment one percent of the dengue patients die. The Government cannot let this happen.

All lives should be protected. It is the policy of the Government, he said.

According to the Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahepala, the locally made BTI bacteria has not received the full approval from the relevant authorities and there are problems in connection with its label.

Arrangements will be made to use it for the pilot project as soon as the problems are resolved.

The producers have already informed that they can provide 5,000 litres quickly.