Health Ministry yet to respond to HRCSL’s concerns

Covid-19 response:

By Shamindra Ferdinando

The Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) says the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) Dr. Asela Gunawardena has yet to respond to issues raised by the outfit with regard to mismanagement and shortcomings in the ongoing Covid-19 inoculation drive.

A HRCSL spokesperson yesterday (2) told The Island that HRCSL Chairperson Dr. Jagath Balasuriya, in a letter dated May 28 sought a clarification from DGHS by or before June 15 However, the anticipated response was yet to be received.

According to a copy of the HRCSL letter, in Sinhalese, received by The Island, The HRCSL raised the prioritisation of COVID-19 vaccinations amidst accusations regarding serious malpractices and mismanagement received from the health sector and various other services as well.

Former parliamentarian Dr. Balasuriya has requested DGHS to formulate an effective vaccination map and bring it to the notice of the HRCSL by or before June 15. The DGHS hasn’t responded so far though the time lapsed over two weeks ago, the spokesperson said.

Dr. Gunawardena didn’t answer his phone yesterday.

Former lawmaker M.M. Zuhair, PC, said that in spite of the media repeatedly highlighting the deficiencies in the inoculation drive those in authority appeared to have turned a blind eye to the pathetic situation. Zuhair said that the recent television coverage of those over 70 years of age in a queue to receive AstraZeneca aka Covishield vaccine showed they were badly exposed both to elements and the virus. It also exposed the incompetence of the health administration. Having launched the inoculation drive on January 29, authorities had ample time to streamline the process over the next few months, the civil society activist said. Unfortunately, the way those senior citizens had suffered throughout this week for want of a streamlined process was appalling, the one-time Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Teheran said.

The HRCSL expressed concern over the inordinate delay in the DGHS responding to their letter which at the onset appreciated the role played by the health sector in meeting the Covid-19 threat. However, the HRCSL’s concerns raised in terms of Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka Act (No. 21 of 1996) couldn’t be ignored under any circumstances though they understood the difficulties experienced by the health administration.