A decision by the Health Ministry to convert some important base hospitals manned by Consultants located across the country into COVID-19 management centres for confirmed asymptomatic patients, has raised serious concerns in health circles.
Such closure of base hospitals which have medical, maternal and paediatic units for the usual patients would lead to an increase in the number of deaths including maternal deaths, deaths from snakebite and also from non-communicable diseases, many sources said.
Last week, the Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, announced that the Teldeniya and old Hambantota Hospitals have been turned into COVID-19 centres. These are in addition to the Homagama Base Hospital, the Colombo East (Mulleriyawa) Base Hospital, the Welikanda Base Hospital, the Iranawila Hospital, the Kattankudy Base Hospital, the Welisara Navy Hospital and the Minuwangoda Base Hospital.
Many doctors were concerned over Galgamuwa, Warakapola and Minuwangoda being added to this list, with Galgamuwa being told to expect confirmed asymptomatic patients from Sunday (May 31).
They pointed out that without closing these base hospitals, the health authorities could convert district hospitals with visiting specialist teams to manage these confirmed asymptomatic cases. (Kumudini)
A Sri Lanka Air Force Bell 212 helicopter belonging to the No. 72 squadron has crashed into the Madhuru Oya reservoir this morning, Air FOrce Media Spokesman Eranda Geeganage said.
Read this week’s Sunday Times for your interesting articles including the ’’5th Column’’.
In its first electoral test since taking power, the ruling National People’s Power (NPP) fell short of expectations, winning only around 40 % of the national vote in Tuesday’s local government election and falling short of enough seats to gain control of the majority of councils.
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