PHIs Chief accuse Health Ministry of taking Omicron threat lightly

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The Public Health Inspectors Union (PHIU) yesterday criticised senior Health Ministry officials for further relaxing COVID restrictions while infections were increasing locally and globally.

PHIU head Upul Rohana told The Island that the Health Ministry had relaxed some existing regulations. Director General of Health Services (DGHS), Dr. Asela Gunawardena had claimed that the COVID situation was under control and other senior officials had publicly given the impression that it was okay to celebrate the festive season as usual, Rohana said.

“We are doing this at a time when Omicron is causing havoc across the world. Most countries are imposing restrictions and getting ready for a spike in cases. There have been several Omicron cases in Sri Lanka and these detections have raised more issues than giving us answers. I feel that we are seeing the beginning of a new wave of the pandemic,” the PHI Union President said.

Rohana said that health officials were not in control of COVID-19 and there were signs that things were slipping away. The festive season was around the corner and it was evident that people were no longer listening to health guidelines, he said.

“At a time like this, lifting restrictions is not practical. I want to know if senior health officials are relaxing restrictions based on data or because someone is influencing them. Once people are done celebrating Christmas and New Year, we will see a spike in cases,” he said.

Already health workers at the grassroots were seeing an increase in COVID numbers and these were much higher than official data revealed. “Everyone knows that the numbers are not this low. Moreover, we keep issuing contradictory statements. Last week we threatened legal action against shopkeepers who violate COVID guidelines. A few days later senior health officers claim that there is nothing to be done if people gather in numbers during the festive season,” Rohana said.