Shortage of drugs causes hard ship - GA
[TamilNet, Wednesday, 24 June 1998, 23:59 GMT]
A large displaced population, the shortage of drugs, medical personnel, hospital facilities and the ongoing Jeyasikiru military operation are all factors contributing to an atmosphere of uncertainty and tension in the Mullaitheevu District, said the Government Agent (GA), Mr. R. Tharmakulasingam in his latest report on situation there.
"The non-supply of approved drugs by the Ministry of Health and delays in transporting medicine from Vavuniya has lead to shortages of much needed drugs such as Anti Rabies vaccine, Anti Venom serum, Cloroquine, Premaquine and Toxcide", said the report.
The shortages of drugs, doctors and other medical personnel are causing the patients severe hard ship and the patients are forced to travel to Vavuniya Base Hospital, to get these services, the report went on to say.
The GA also said that medical laboratory facilities have not been available at the Mullaitheevu District Hospital since 1990.
Category | Families | Persons |
Permanent (Not Displaced) | 12 207 | 49 924 |
Displaced within the District (including Jeyasikkurui) | 6 893 | 28 618 |
Displaced from other Districts | 35 331 | 139 970 |
Total | 54 431 | 218 512 |
Population in Mullaitheevu district as at 31.03.1998
Source: Situation report for April and May by the GA.
"Drugs for the first quarter reached hospitals at end of March and April, but minus 125 drugs which included the most needed drugs. Drugs for the second quarter were approved at the end of May but transport has yet to be arranged through the UNHCR", the GA added.
The GA has appealed to the Government authorities in Colombo to take early action to over come these difficulties.
According to the GA, the district has a population of 218,512 persons belonging to 54,431 families. Of these 168,588 persons belonging to 42324 families are displaced with the majority of the displaced population, 139, 970, being from outside the district.
District | Families | Persons |
Mullaitheevu | 12 207 | 28 618 |
Jaffna | 6 893 | 96 050 |
Kilinochchi | 24 951 | 16 361 |
Vavuniya | 3 874 | 15 273 |
Mannar | 42 | 144 |
Trincomalee | 2643 | 10 516 |
Other districts | 411 | 1626 |
Total | 42 224 | 168 588 |
Displace families according to place of origin as at 31.03.1998
Source: Situation report for April and May by the GA