To counter possible epidemic:

Ministry medical teams in Batticaloa

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry will send 10 medical teams to the Eastern Province to provide medical assistance for the flood victims. This is to prevent any possible outbreak of epidemics, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman the first five medical teams with 21 members were sent to Batticaloa Sunday and the second batch of five medical teams will reach flood affected areas today. The medical teams comprise doctors, nurses, pharmacists, epidemiologists, officials and many others.

In addition, special medical teams sent from Ampara, Batticaloa, Polonnaruwa and Trincomalee hospitals are now serving at welfare camps. Earlier the Ministry sent 75 PHIs from Colombo to Batticaloa and 45 PHIs to flood affected areas in the North Central Province.

The officers are keeping a vigil on medical facilities and food given to the flood victims and supervise them on a daily basis.

The Public Health Unit of the Ministry obtains a daily report on health condition at welfare camps to monitor possible outbreak of epidemics, he said.

Although no epidemic situation was reported from these areas, the Ministry has given instructions to health officials to continue to be vigilant. There is a good response from the public and institutions towards the appeal made by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena for assistance. Dr Ruwan Ekanayake, Health Service Trade Unions, SLFP Trade Union of the SLBC and many others were among donors, he added.