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Dire warning to pregnant women not to delay treatment for dengue 

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By Rathindra Kuruwita

Dengue is on the rise among the women of reproductive age and pregnant women must be extra cautious if they contract the disease, Senior Consultant Physician at the National Institute of Infectious Diseases Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama says.

He told a webinar, Changing global landscape of dengue disease and addressing the challenges by Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi), that anyone who developed symptoms of dengue must seek treatment immediately to avoid complications.

“In the late 1980s we considered dengue as a paediatric disease. Even in 2000, about 60 percent of dengue cases were those under 19. However, now we see that most patients are those in the reproductive age. So, we see a lot of pregnant women getting dengue. The same situation prevails in India, Singapore, Bangladesh and Thailand,” he said.

“Dengue increases the risk of maternal fatality, stillbirth and neonatal deaths,” he said.

Dr. Wijewickrama said that several companies were working on dengue vaccines and that an effective vaccine is welcome.

“In the past, dengue vaccines have not worked out well. However, there are some new ones being developed. A vaccine produced by Japanese company Takeda is under evaluation,” he noted.

However, prevention matters and pregnant women are at higher risk of complications. “There are two lives at stake,” he said.

Dr. Wijewickrama said that influenza too is spreading in Sri Lanka and if a pregnant woman has fever they need to seek medical advice as soon as possible.

“Do this on day one itself. See if there are any complications if you have fever. Test for dengue. If you seek medical help early, you have no reason to worry. Unfortunately, some still come late with severe complications. It is harder to save patients with dengue shock. However, we have become really good at curing dengue. So people really must not hesitate to seek medical advice as early as possible,” he said.

Meanwhile, Rakesh Lodha, Professor of Pediatrics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, speaking at the webinar said that measures need to be taken at individual, community and national levels to ensure that dengue can be kept under control. It has to be a partnership, he said.

Professor Lodha also urged people not to try alternative, untested medicines to combat dengue.



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Secretary to the President meets with heads of the Health sector

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A special discussion between Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake and the heads of the health sector was held on Tuesday (18) at the Presidential Secretariat.

During the meeting, it was discussed that a committee would be formed to explore possible steps that could be taken through the President’s Fund to reduce the number of patients on long waiting lists for surgeries in government hospitals.

The committee is expected to submit a report on the matter within one month. Based on the findings, appropriate actions will be taken, as indicated by the Secretary to the President.

The discussion highlighted the significant number of patients, including those requiring cardiac, ophthalmic, and paediatric surgeries, who are currently awaiting procedures on long waiting lists at government hospitals.

Attention was also given to the potential support that could be provided by the President’s Fund and other relevant sectors to address the challenges faced by these patients.

Additionally, discussions were held regarding the possibility of conducting surgeries after regular working hours at government hospitals. The challenges faced by doctors and staff were also thoroughly discussed during the meeting.

The discussion was attended by several key officials, including Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary (Public Health Services) Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, along with directors and specialist doctors from major hospitals across the country.

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Govt. plan to boost revenue with taxes on vehicle imports unrealistic, warns Harsha

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Dr. de Silva

By Saman Indrajith

SJB Colombo District MP Dr. Harsha de Silva told Parliament yesterday that vehicle imports would be affected by unusually high prices. Commencing the Second Reading debate from the Opposition side, Dr. de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake had, in his Budget speech, projected a substantial portion of tax revenue from vehicle imports. “What is the feasibility of such expectations, given the current price surge,” the MP queried.

“Who can afford to import vehicles at these rates? I do not believe there are enough affluent individuals in Sri Lanka to sustain vehicle imports at these exorbitant prices.”

Providing examples of the dramatic price increase, Dr. de Silva pointed out that a Toyota Raize now cost Rs. 12.2 mn, a Toyota Yaris Rs. 18.5 mn, and a Toyota Prius a staggering Rs. 28.9 mn.

“Someone mentioned that a Toyota Vitz could be available at Rs. 1.4 mn.”

Dr. de Silva said that the government aimed to increase tax revenue by 1.6% of GDP with a significant portion expected from vehicle imports. However, he warned that achieving that target was unrealistic under current circumstances. The government must reassess its reliance on this sector for increasing tax revenue,” he said.

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SLN receives shallow water multi-beam echo sounder from Australia

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From left : Defence Advisor to the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Amanda Johnston, Australian HC in Colombo Paul Stephens, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Chief Hydrographer of SLNHS and Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kosala Warnakulasooriya

Giving a significant boost to Sri Lanka’s hydrographic capabilities, the government of Australia handed over a state-of-the-art Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo Sounder to the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) during a ceremony held at SLNS Rangalla today (18 Feb 25). The formal ceremony was held under the auspices of the High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, marking new chapter in the discipline of hydrography.

The Australian government provided the Sri Lanka Navy with this Multi Beam Echo Sounder to enhance its hydrographic capabilities. This advanced equipment will enable the Sri Lanka Navy Hydrographic Service (SLNHS) to conduct precise hydrographic surveys, essential for creating nautical and electronic charts for international use. The device will also facilitate the production of high-precision nautical charts, ensuring safer maritime navigation.

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