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Lankan paediatricians also place their bets on vaccine
Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians (SLCP) yesterday said that a vaccine would be the most effective long-term strategy in the battle against COVID-19 in Sri Lanka and urged the health authorities and the government to take all possible measures, promptly and decisively, to accelerate the process of obtaining COVID-19 vaccines
Professor Vasantha Devasiri, President SLCP in a statement said that COVID-19, the most significant pandemic during the lifetime of all of us is never over and it is in fact spinning even faster in many parts of the world, including Sri Lanka. The number of cases and deaths are on the rise. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel as vaccines against it have been rolled out in many countries of the world.
Immunization has always been recognized as the most effective strategy to tackle outbreaks of infections throughout the history of medicine. For example, smallpox, a deadly viral infection was eradicated from the world a few decades ago due to the introduction of immunization.
Sri Lanka is a country which has a very good track record in immunization coverage. Sri Lanka has succeeded in markedly reducing the number of infections and mortality due to many communicable diseases like neonatal tetanus, whooping cough and diphtheria through immunization. Most importantly, Sri Lanka has pioneered the eradication of polio and measles in the country through high immunization coverage while providing a very good example to the other countries in the region.
Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians (SLCP), the apex professional academic organization of all the Child Specialists in Sri Lanka is one of the key stakeholders in the provision of immunization to children in Sri Lanka since its beginning. Although children are not immediately eligible for immunization against COVID-19 at the present time, they will be indirectly benefitted by provision of COVID-19 immunization to all the hitherto recognized priority groups.
Effective immunization will reduce the spread of COVID-19 to children from adults. On the other hand, it will reduce the risk of spreading the infection to older people and other vulnerable groups by children as well. Wider coverage of vaccination will reduce the spread of the disease and help to end the pandemic in the future. This is important for children as well because currently imposed restrictions to control the spread of the disease have many a potential to cause long-term adverse outcomes in children in many ways.
It is needless to stress that any expense which is required to obtain these vaccines would be a long-term investment because the rapidly spreading uncontrolled COVID-19 infections would invariably lead to significant losses to the economy of individuals and the whole country.
As Sri Lanka has a total population of only 21 million, it would be possible to immunize all the at-risk groups in a stepwise manner. Many countries have already commenced to provide immunization against COVID-19 to the general public. The existing better mechanisms and infrastructure for immunization in Sri Lanka, in comparison even to many other countries, would be a valuable asset to provide COVID-19 vaccines to the Sri Lankan population effectively.
Due to all these facts, the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians strongly believes that while continuing the currently imposed COVID-19 preventive measures, provision of immunization against COVID-19 would be the best long-term strategy to tackle this outbreak in Sri Lanka too. Therefore, the SLCP is duty-bound to urge the health authorities and the government to take all possible measures, promptly and decisively, to accelerate the process of obtaining COVID-19 vaccines to immunize the people of Sri Lanka.
The Ceylon Electricity Board has appealed to all rooftop solar owners across the country to voluntarily switch off their solar systems during day time hours (until 3pm each day) from April 13th to 21st to prevent partial power outages or nationwide blackouts which may occur.
The Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated that the people of Sri Lanka should no longer be burdened by conflict and the Government remains committed to ensuring peace and stability across the country, with the government and the public service must discharge their duties to meet the needs of the people.
The Prime Minister made these remarks while addressing public gatherings held in Velanai, Nallur, and Vadamarachchi.
The Prime Minister said that:
“There are numerous issues regarding infrastructure development in the Northern Province ranging from roads, drinking water supply, agriculture, and unemployment, to education and health sectors.
Many of these development tasks fall under the responsibility of local governments and provincial councils that represents your areas. However, these responsibilities have not been properly discharged.
While it is said that the issues raised in the North and East were caused by the war, 16 years have passed since the end of the war. What real change has taken place? Have the lives of the people in these areas has improved?
Although the central government allocates funds to provincial governing bodies, there should be a transparent mechanism in place to ensure that these funds are properly utilized for the relevant projects.
On May 6th, you will hold the decisive right to elect the local government closest to you that will work to uplift your lives and develop your communities. Elect representatives who are committed to serving the people, and free of fraud and corruption.
The government is actively participating in lifting the country from its fallen state and to overcome the current economic challenges. We accept that there is a long way to go. The prices of goods are still high but the government is currently working towards a change, and the people will receive the benefits in the near future.
Measures have been taken to increase the basic salary of public servants from this year’s Budget. The public service must commit to discharging duties with dedication. This must be not only a people’s government, but also a public service that belongs to the people.
Even after the independence, this country has seen much bloodshed and conflict. The people have suffered greatly as a result. The government is determined to ensure that such a situation never arises again. Therefore, the government is committed to fostering peace within the country.”
The event was attended by Minister of Fisheries Ramalingam Chandrasekar, along with several Members of Parliament and local representatives in the North.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
A meeting organized by the National Initiative for Research & Development Commercialization (NIRDC) was held on Thursday (10) at the Presidential Secretariat to streamline and commercialize research and development activities in the defence sector.
Participating institutions included the Centre for Defence Research and Development under the Ministry of Defence, the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force, the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the Research and Development Division of the Sri Lanka Police.
The NIRDC Unit, established under the Presidential Secretariat, aims to accelerate national development by facilitating investment opportunities to commercially apply completed or nearing completion research projects from both public and private institutions.
Defence institutions play a critical role for the progress of technology and science in relation to national security and development. Acknowledging this importance, the meeting was chaired by Senior Advisor to the President on Science and Technology, Professor Gomika Udugamasuriya.
During the meeting, it was discussed in detail regarding the completed and on-going research and development projects within the defence sector, as well as those planned for the future. Special attention was given to identifying opportunities for collaboration among research and development units, enhancing innovation capabilities, and exploring ways to share resources effectively.
The discussion focused on identifying opportunities for collaboration between research and development units relevant to these sectors, enhancing innovation capabilities and exploring ways to share resources effectively. It also examined possible steps to strengthen coordination between civil and defence research institutions. The discussion concluded productively, with several innovations identified that have the potential for future commercialization.
The event was attended by Senior Additional Secretary to the President (Finance and Economic Affairs) . Russel Aponsu, NIRDC Director General Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa, Director (Investments) . Idunil Gunathilaka along with other officials.
[PMD]
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