By Shamindra Ferdinando

Top GMOA spokesperson Dr. Nalinda Herath has asked whether a deliberate, and despicable attempt is being made to tarnish the image of the health services by blaming it for the shortcomings in the ongoing vaccination drive.

Addressing the media on Thursday (2), Dr. Herath alleged that  the growing role played by the armed forces in the inoculation campaign was quite cleverly used to portray the health sector as a failure in that regard. Dr. Herath alleged that a section of the media, too, played a role in the campaign.

Dr. Herath said their strategy was simple: “Of the vaccine stocks received, only a fraction was released to the health sector whereas the military got unlimited supply”.

Dr. Herath said that when they sought an explanation from DGHS Dr. Asela Gunawardena why the health sector was treated that way, the latter claimed that it was out of his control.

Dr. Herath asked who took vital decisions on behalf of the government.

The GMOA spokesperson also questioned the government over the decision to use Pfizer vaccine to inoculate those living in the Hambantota district. Explaining the turmoil in the vaccination drive, Dr. Herath urged the government to take remedial measures before further deterioration of the situation.

The GMOA official lambasted the Epidemiology unit for the current difficulties experienced by the health services battling the Covid-19 epidemic.