Displaced patients to be ferried across

by Shanika SRIYANANDA

Medical facilities to treat the sick and wounded displaced civilians fleeing to liberated areas have been enhanced at hospitals and health units set up at welfare centres in Vavuniya. The hospitals have been fully stocked with vital drugs. While people in thousands are still forcibly restrained by the LTTE, some in large groups have started fleeing the LTTE controlled areas, carrying the old, the sick and the wounded. Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Athula Kahadaliyanage told the Sunday Observer that civilians with gun shot injuries are treated at the Mannar General Hospital, where specialised medical care is available. "Primary healthcare will be given at Chettikulam hospital and at the two health units at welfare centres," he said.

According to him, one medical officer along with nurses, PHIs and minor staffers are attached to the units. "The medical staff will take care of the basic medical attention and will also help prevent the spreading of dengue, water-borne diseases and other infectious diseases", he said.

Meanwhile, the ICRC, which estimates that there are over 400 civilians who are in need of urgent medical treatment, have requested the Ministry to make arrangements to transport the patients by ship. Dr. Kahadaliyanage said that the Ministry had asked the ICRC to negotiate the matter with the security forces. "Initially we made arrangements with the Forces and the ICRC to handover these patients to the nearest military camp to be taken to the Vavuniya hospital but it was not possible due to heavy fighting. Now the ICRC will be negotiating with the Forces to bring the patients to Trincomalee by boat and there to the Vavuniya hospital," he said. Sources said that the patients were evacuated from the Puthukudiyiruppu hospital, which is the only medical unit under the LTTE control while heavy fighting was going on, last week. The patients and hospital staff are now at a makeshift community centre in Putumattalan village.

Meanwhile the ICRC urged the LTTE to release the patients who are still within the conflict zone. According to ICRC spokeswoman Sarasi Wijeratne over 400 patients are on the floor in an overcrowded community centre and at adjoining school buildings.