News
GMOA identifies priority groups for immediate vaccination
by Rathindra Kuruwita
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday identified four categories of people who needed to be vaccinated on a priority basis to reduce the number of COVID-19 related deaths and economic disruptions.
The four priority categories, according to the GMOA, are frontline staff and their high risk associates, all citizens over the age of 60, those between the ages of 18 and 60, who suffer from non-communicable diseases, and pregnant women.
Secretary of the GMOA, Dr. Senal Fernando said that those over 60 comprise over 75% of COVID-19 deaths and that 83% of deaths of those between 18 and 60 had been reported from among those with non- communicable diseases.
All the above-mentioned groups comprised about 20% of the total population and about 10 million vaccines were needed to inoculate them, Dr. Fernando said.
“If we can vaccinate this group within the next two months we can reduce deaths and disruptions to daily activities. Then we can systematically work towards inoculating 70% of the population that is necessary to control the spread of COVID-19,” he said.
Currently, the government was vaccinating those over the age of 30 and they only comprised 51.6% of the population, the GMOA secretary said. “We need 30 million jabs to vaccinate 70% of the people and that will take time,” he said.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe addressing Tri Forces, Police officers and other rankers at the Air Force Base Anuradhapura stated that during his presidency, no one will be allowed to breach the law and order of the country. He emphasized that he will prioritize doing what is right over doing what is popular, and that presenting popular ideas can lead to the destruction of the country.
He asserted that no one is entitled to engage in violent protests on the streets, but all political parties have the right to express their opinions or criticize him in a peaceful manner.
Two students died and seven others were injured when the vehicle they were traveling toppled in Badulla today (01)
The students were participating in a vehicle parade held as part of the revelries for the 74th Battle of Uva between Uva Badulla Maha Vidyalaya and Dharmadutha Maha Vidyalaya which commenced at the Badulla Cricket Stadium on Friday (31)
The Regional Director of Education Badulla on hearing of the unfortunate incident had ordered the match to be called off.
The Badulla Police are conducting investigations.
‘Better Policy Making Through Evaluations’ the first on-site international training on evaluation for Parliamentarians and Parliament research staff in the Asia Pacific region was held in Colombo from the 27th to the 30th of March 2023.
On the final day of the training programme fifty (50) Parliamentarians and Parliament research staff from around 20 countries across Asia Pacific visited the Parliament of Sri Lanka for an exchange session and dialogue on the importance of evidence-based policy making through evaluations.
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