LNP – More vaccines for Army-driven vaccination, less for hospitals, MOH: GMOA

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today charged that large stocks of COVID-19 vaccines were provided for vaccination rollout by the Sri Lanka Army, but inadequate vaccines supplied for the hospitals and for the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices.

GMOA General Committee Member Dr. Prasad Kolabage said there is a huge scarcity of vaccines in hospitals and MOH offices, which triggered a chaotic situation at the vaccination centres.

The responsibility for this issue should be borne by the vaccine issuing unit of the Health Ministry or the Epidemiology Unit.

“We cannot control the death toll until the completion of vaccination for the people who are 60 years and above. The GMOA earlier urged the government to complete giving of both the vaccines to the seniors who are 60 and above, people with non-communicable diseases and those who have weak immunity as soon as possible to prevent deaths, ” Dr. Kolabage said.

The GMOA is hoping that the Health Ministry will pay its full attention to address these issues, he said.

In line with the ongoing vaccination drive, the health ministry should update the vaccination programme and continue it in a systematic manner for people who are aged between 30 and 60 years, Dr. Kolabage added.