Debate on Minuwangoda cluster today

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Academy of Health Professionals and Joint Front of non-MBBS Health Professionals have urged Health Secretary retired Maj. Gen. Sanjeewa Munasinghe to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

They have requested the Health Secretary to take appropriate measures to deal with the situation instead of trying to prove the pandemic was yet to reach the community transmission stage. In a letter dated Oct 22 to the Health Secretary, they pointed out the continuing shortcomings in the government strategy.

Warning that proper decisions couldn’t be solely made on ‘intelligence strategies’ as done so far, the trade unions urged the government to change its approach or face the consequences. They strongly urged the government to take measures on the basis the corona pandemic was now spreading among communities here.

The warning was given a day ahead of the debate on the country’s unprecedented health crisis in parliament. The GMOA (Government Medical Officers’ Association) spokesperson Dr. Prasad Colombage, in response to The Island query, yesterday (22) said that those concerned were yet to reveal how the second eruption took place. The first corona detection in its second wave was made on Oct 2 and the curfew was declared in selected police areas on Oct 4.

The Committee on Parliamentary Business chaired by Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena on Wednesday (21) put off the scheduled vote on condolence to pave the way for a debate on the corona epidemic. Director, Department of Communication, Parliament Shan Wijetunga said that JVP leader Anura Kuamar Dissanayake called for a parliamentary debate on corona in the wake of SJB leader Sajith Premadasa raising the spread of the corona virus in the country.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando yesterday (22) said that only the Epidemiology Unit could correctly ascertain status of the corona epidemic as it held relevant data. Dr. Fernando alleged that the Epidemiology Unit hadn’t so far shared the relevant data with those who had been involved in government initiatives against the epidemic. The GMOA is among those deprived of corona data.

While urging all stakeholders not to politicize the issue, the GMOA emphasized the pivotal importance in all extending support to the ongoing efforts to combat the spread of the highly contagious virus.

Meanwhile, the situation continued to deteriorate further with indications of several smaller corona clusters in the Gampaha district under curfew since 10 pm on Wednesday. Gampaha administrative district consists of 22 police areas. In addition to them, Kuliyapitiya, Giriulla, Narampala, Dummalasuriya and Pannala are under curfew. The police have also isolated several villages in Matugama and Agalawatte areas.

Police spokesman DIG Ajith Rohana said that in addition to the Gampaha district, police areas in Colombo North and Kuliyapitiya Division were under curfew. However, in view of the large number of factories situated in the Gampaha district et al, police headquarters named four officers whom the public could contact in case of emergency. According to DIG Rohana, SSP M.K.R.A. Gunaratne (071-8591605), ASP Thusitha Kumara (071-8591610), SP Palitha Amaratunga (071-8591632) and SSP Niranjan Abeywardena (071-8591574) could be contacted for issues in Kelaniya, Gampaha, Negombo and Colombo North Divisions, respectively.

DIG Rohana explained that those attached to the state and private sector engaged in essential services, including health, harbour, airport, airport and aviation services, electricity, communications and media as well could use their office identity cards as curfew passes. The DIG strongly advised the public not to abuse arrangements made by the government to ensure functioning of essential services under extremely difficult conditions.

Academy of Health Professionals, Joint Front of non-MBBS Health Professionals as well as the GMOA requested the government to act faster with the latter suggesting formulation of guidelines as regards the admission of corona patients.