Categories: Headlines

GMOA calls for more vaccines as flu death toll rises

Special Committee to explore buying more flu vaccines.

Although a batch of flu vaccines is on the way, the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle is still under-equipped and underfunded to deal with the current flu epidemic, GMOA Co-Secretary Kanchika Samararatne said on Tuesday.

“We need the vaccine immediately, because it can take about a week to (work),” he said in an interview with the Daily News.

“(It’s) useless to get it after the influenza epidemic,” he said.

Speaking from Colombo, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Sarath Amunugama said the Ministry had appointed a “Special Committee” to explore buying more flu vaccines from abroad.

A decision would be made “depending on their reports,” Dr. Amunugama said.

Dr. Samararatne said over 20 people have died in the southern region from influenza and its resulting complications. The flu virus attacks the respiratory system, leaving it more vulnerable to secondary and more deadly infections like pneumonia.

“Several doctors and medical staff have contracted the flu while treating patients,” Dr. Samararatne said, complicating their ability to provide treatment.

Dr. Samararatne said he received permission for a local purchase, “so at least my hospital staff can get the vaccine.” He estimated it would arrive within the week. The Karapitiya Teaching Hospital has the only Paediatric Intensive Care Unit in the area. Dr. Samararatne said that hospital administrators have tried to get approval for an expansion of the ICU for about an year and a half.

But so far, the approvals have not come through. “I don’t know why it was delayed,” he said. He argued that the limited facilities and equipment was adding to the seriousness of the influenza outbreak. In a weekend press conference in Galle, GMOA leaders called on the government “to take immediate steps in order to initiate a swift programme to administer medical staff of hospitals who treat patients, with flu vaccinations.” “It is the only precautionary measure that can be taken to protect the staff from contracting the virus,” they added.

Lankanewspapers

Recent Posts

LNP – 4 dead, another 4 injured in Kurunegala fuel station fire

Four individuals, including the manager of the facility, were burnt to death, while four others…

3 hours ago

LNP – No benefit for Tamil Nadu from Modi’s Sri Lanka visit: CM Stalin

The recent visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka did not benefit…

18 hours ago

LNP – Leading liquor store owner booked for promoting booze sales through Facebook

A leading liquor store chain owner cum hotelier had been booked by the Department of…

22 hours ago

LNP – Saudi Arabia bans visas for 14 countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh

Saudi Arabia has temporarily suspended issuance of visas to citizens from 14 countries, including India,…

22 hours ago

LNP – Heavy rainfall likely in several provinces

The Meteorology Department says that showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the…

1 day ago

LNP – More than 50 countries have contacted White House to start trade talks, Trump adviser says

More than 50 countries have reached out to the White House to begin trade talks,…

1 day ago