Disaster Management Unit to work 24 hrs

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry will keep its Disaster Management Unit (DMU) open 24 hours a day until the flood victims go back to their homes and settle down. All pregnant mothers above 36 and children below five will be admitted to the nearest State hospital in flood affected areas immediately as a precautionary measure, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman the Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD) will also be kept open 24 hours during the same period. Arrangements have been made to transport patients in critical condition by helicopters. Typhoid injections too have been dispatched to all affected areas. Mobile health clinics have been organized with the co-ordination of Ampara Hospital to cater to flood victims staying at welfare camps.

The Ministry has given priority to three main requirements of the flood victims. They are providing safe sanitary facilities immediately, preventing any possible outbreak of epidemics and ensuring food safety. The Ministry sent five medical teams to flood affected districts Monday and epidemiologists have also been sent, he said.

The Ministry sent 75 PHIs to Ampara and 45 to Polonnaruwa to look after health issues of the flood victims.

They will produce a daily report on health facilities and food given to flood victims. They will inspect the camps in a daily basis. All MOH offices will also record data on flood victims daily and produce reports, he added.