Dengue eradication mission turns deadly :
PHI bludgeoned to death
Yasaratne GAMAGE
* Minister vows to deal with disruptors
* Attacked with club
A Public Health Officer (PHI) died on the spot after being attacked
with a club while on a dengue eradication mission in Thamabalagamuwa,
Kantale yesterday. The incident occurred during an argument between a
member of a household and a group of public health inspectors on an
inspection tour in connection with the Dengue Eradication Month (June 25
to July 25) declared by the Health Ministry.
During a heated argument, the assailant is alleged to have seized a
club and went berserk attacking the PHIs. One PHI , Segu Mohommad Jaleel,
52,was dealt a blow and died on the spot while his colleagues fled.
Police have arrested a 34-year-old suspect in this connection.
The National Mosquito Control Month commenced on June 25 as a
national commitment to curb the dengue epidemic. PHIs have been
mobilised to visit each household and check for signs of the deadly
larvae.
However there had been reports of incidents where some unruly
elements had got into confrontations with the PHIs during such
inspections.
Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena issuing a special statement
condemned the attack and requested the Police to arrest the suspect and
deal firmly with those who commit crimes to hinder the national dengue
eradication programme.
He said the government will do the maximum to compensate the family
of the health officer who sacrificed his life while on duty.
Earlier in Galgamuwa, a group of people harassed a team of PHIs
engaged in mosquito control activities. Several similar incidents have
been reported from many parts of the country over the past few days. |