In flood-hit areas:

Health Ministry to avert spread of disease

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

Health Ministry Secretary Dr Nihal Jayatilleke has taken steps to protect flood - affected persons from communicable diseases, especially water borne diseases and to ensure the safety and well being of hospital staff and patients in flood - affected state hospitals, under the direction of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, a ministry spokesman said. According to the spokesman, patients in certain units of the flood - affected Chilaw hospital have been transferred to Marawila and other state hospitals on Minister Sirisena’s direction.

The North Western Province Health Ministry provided a team with ambulances for this task. A special team led by Deputy Direct General Dr Ananda Gunasekara inspected Chilaw Hospital yesterday.