Medical care in place for Pope's visit

by Carol Aloysius

The Health Ministry has drawn up a plan for medical care in connection with the forthcoming visit of Pope Francis.

"Our plan covers every aspect of health care for the Pope from the time of his arrival on January 13 till his departure on January 15", Director General Health Services Dr P.G. Maheepala told the Sunday Observer yesterday.

The Pope's health requirements and also those attending his mass, devotees and the thousands of spectators who are expected to line the streets to greet him will be takes care of. "From the moment he steps down from the plane till his visit to the Madhu shrine there will be medical teams, ambulances, medical staff, consultants and nurses on call.

Hospitals in Anuradhapura, Mannar and Vavuniya will be on stand-by for any emergency and their services will be available to all who come to greet him or attend his service", he said."

"We have drawn up plans to make available our medical care to several lakhs of people at the Madhu shrine after visiting the area beforehand", he said. He said special arrangements are in place at the BIA and there would be consultants, doctors, nurses and ambulances ready for any emergency.

"We will station ambulances at 10 strategic points from the airport to the city alone.Arrangements at the Galle Face Green will be handled by the Army. Health care arrangements in other places will be by the Health Ministry, he said, adding that a special meeting had been convened at the Health Ministry yesterday afternoon to finalise the medical care plan.