Health Ministry in emergency plan for flood victims

By Carol Aloysius

An emergency plan to assist flood victims facing health challenges due to the prevailing weather is now under way in 84 districts, Director General of Health Services, Dr P.G. Maheepala told the media at a special conference at the Health Education Bureau to address issues such as food safety, sanitation and accident prevention during the Vesak season.

Outlining details of the plan, he said, “We have sent a Medical Officer of Health to each of the affected areas. They will pay special attention to small children and pregnant women who will be admitted to hospital care, rather than leave them in camps, since they are vulnerable to various diseases that break out at this time.

He said there was a tendency for some hospitals to go under water during heavy floods.“ In such instances we have informed the nearby hospitals to stand by and make arrangements to transfer patients to those hospitals until the affected hospital is cleaned and disinfected which will take some time.”

Dr Maheepala said houses which use well water which have become inundated with contaminated flood water, especially in the case of landslide victims, will also be provided with chlorine and chlorine tablets.

“Our PHIs will show how to use them if they need assistance from any MOH in their area,” he said.

A National Dengue Prevention Week would be launched shortly with the participation of the Tri Forces and Health Ministry employees to prevent an outbreak of dengue.

“We have reduced dengue fever by 0.1% , which is not enough. We can do much more with public co-operation by eliminating breeding sites. We have had a positive outcome of treating dengue patients.

The Meegama and Infectious Disease Hospital in Angoda are the best hospitals to treat critical dengue patients ” “ If you have fever for over two days see a doctor immediately,” he said

Dr Maheepala also listed five common diseases that people should be aware during inclement weather. They include Dengue, Diarrhoea, Leptospirosis, Eye diseases (Conjunctivitis) and various skin ailments such as rashes and itching and worm infestation.