Jaffna MOH unable to control malaria

[TamilNet, Tuesday, 24 February 1998, 23:59 GMT]
Dr. Deivendram, Medical Officer of Health, Jaffna Municipal Council (JMC), told ex-Eelam Peoples' Democratic Party (EPDP) Member of Parliament R.Ramamoorthy on Monday, that of the 24 malathion anti-Malaria spray-guns needed for JMC, only four were available, said sources in Jaffna.

The MOH requested Mr. Ramamoorthy to remind the Ministry of Health in Colombo of this matter and said that systematic spraying of malathion could prevent needless deaths from Malaria in Jaffna town.

Malaria reached almost epidemic proportions during the monsoons last year, both in the Jaffna Peninsula and in the Wanni where the lack of malathion as well as drugs led to deaths several.

Meanwhile, the North Walgamam Rehabilitation Society has written to Sri Lankan President Chandrika Kumaratunga asking her to inform the Jaffna Kachcheri about releasing rehabilitation money for persons waiting to be resettled in North Waligamam, said Jaffna sources.

The Jaffna Kachcheri suspended the payment of 5000 rupees rehabilitation money for displaced persons in Jaffna, because it is short of funds.

The north Waligamam area in the Jaffna Peninsula is a high security zone with the Palaly base complex situated in the area.