News
Medical waste dumped from Talawakelle hospital; residents suffer
Expired medicines belonging to the Divisional Hospital at Madakumbura in Talawakelle have been dumped in a hazardous manner in the Madakumbura estate by hospital authorities, causing severe inconvenience to schoolchildren and workers in the plantation, the Sunday Times learns.
A trade union leader said an elderly became ill and was taken to the hospital. The doctor on duty is alleged to have told the patient’s family that it was not worth giving medical attention to the patient as he would not live more than one hour. This led to a heated argument and the doctor had immediately left the hospital and lodged a complaint at the Talawakelle Police. The lady doctor had then kept away from duties for more than 10 days.
The doctor had resumed work on Friday (18). By that time, the hospital staff had dumped more outdated medicines in open areas in the tea plantation. Residents claim many schoolchildren had been suffering from cough and headaches since the medicinal waste was dumped. Complaints have been lodged with the Grama Niladhari, but residents allege that no action has been taken so far.
Hospital authorities refused to comment on the allegations. Talawakelle Police are investigating.
The site where the drugs (right) were dumped. Pix by P. Kethiees
