Doctors fall ill after five-star meal

Rasika SOMARATHNA

The Colombo Municipal Council’s (CMC) health officials have launched an investigation into an incident where a group of doctors fell ill after consuming food at a five star hotel.

CMC Chief Medical Officer Dr Pradeep Kariyawasam said that he had received a complaint from a doctors organization that some of their members had fallen ill after consuming food at the said hotel where they had held their annual sessions. Following the complaint the CMC had obtained food samples and also advised the management of the hotel to get their workers checked for any health complications. Dr Kariyawasam said that the hotel had not renewed its certification for this year. “They had been warned about the fact on a previous occasion as well” he added.

In a shocking revelation Dr.Kariyawasam said that nearly 50 per cent of top grade hotels in the city had failed to obtain the necessary health certification from CMC authorities for this year.

On the above incident, Dr. Kariyawasam also blamed the hotel doctor and the hospital authorities ( where the patients were admitted), for not informing about it to the CMC health officials forthwith.

He said that the incident was brought to his notice after several days of its occurrence and added that this had hampered investigations to a great extent.

The CMC would contemplate legal action depending on the outcome of the ongoing investigations, Dr.Kariyawasam noted.

The CMC has decided to observe strict vigilance in the process of issuing and renewing licences. Hotels are to be tested for levels of food handling and preparation as well as the workers, personal hygiene.

Two laboratories certified by the Health Ministry have been established to carry out medical checks. Dr. Kariyawasam yesterday said that authorities were prepared to take strict action against anyone who violate the established regulations.

He urged the public to make suggestions and complaints in this regard. All complaints would be treated confidentially and would be investigated forthwith, he assured.

The public can reach Dr. Kariyawasam or other health officials at the CMC on 011-2676161, 011-2696594 and 011-2691922.