Ebola screening fully operational at BIA - Health Ministry

by Carol Aloysius

The screening facilities at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) at Katunayake set up by the Health Ministry early last week to prevent the deadly Ebola virus from entering the island are now fully operational, Director General of Health Services, Dr P.G. Mahipala told the Sunday Observer.

“A strong surveillance system to monitor and screen all tourists arriving at the airport has now been established.

We have set up special counters to screen people which will operate 24 hours a day.

Any person showing symptoms of the disease, will be immediately isolated and sent to the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) where his condition will be carefully monitored.”Asked if health officials were ready to meet any emergency situation, he said, “We are fully prepared. Our doctors and nursing staff have been trained and know what to do if an emergency arises. The Epidemiology Unit will be in overall charge of these operations”.

According to sources a decision was taken to improve facilities at the Negombo Base Hospital immediately to accommodate patients carrying the virus, at the emergency meeting convened last week on the instructions of Health Minister Maitripala Sirisena.