Director General of Health Services, Dr. Palitha Maheepala said at a media briefing at the Health Ministry yesterday, that there was no danger of any diseases breaking out at any of the flood refugee welfare centres.
Deputy Director General of Public Health Services Division, Dr. Sarath Amunugama added, that though there were no signs of any outbreak of any diseases, “we are constantly monitoring to ensure this does not happen”. He said effective measures had been put in place to ensure safe levels of sanitation.
“We are always conscious of the health needs of the people and ensure that Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) visit all these centres at regular intervals to ensure pre-emptive action against diarrhea diseases and dengue,” Dr. Amunugama said.
Dr. Maheepala said, there were a few people suffering from skin diseases and respiratory infections which were reported earlier.
“However, the illnesses are being dealt with effectively right now with adequate medication for any affected persons,” he said.
Referring to the number of dengue cases at the safety centres Dr. Amunugama said, “the number of dengue cases has not increased in those areas. Doctors who have visited the centres have reported the same. Apart from this, we are exercising all care to prevent the spread of communicable diseases.”
Dr. Maheepala said, most of the flood disaster welfare centres had now been closed down with most people having returned to their homes.
“There still are several centres in the Kegalle District in addition to continuing field Outpatient Departments (OPDs) which function from morning until 8 p.m. The OPD services are available to all comers, he added.
Dr. Amunugama added that mobile clinics were conducted in more than 40 areas affected by the floods, while
Dr. Maheepala said the 55 teams of medical personnel sent earlier had been scaled down with the danger of epidemics largely under control now.
