Tackling Coronavirus BIA lacks sufficient doctors and medicines: GMOA

• BIA Health Unit that there were several shortcomings including the lack of isolated-treatment facilities

By Thisari Walawege  

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said yesterday there was a shortage of medical officers, other medical supplies and necessary equipment which were essential in combating the coronavirus successfully at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) Health Unit.  

The GMOA told a media conference held at the BIA Health Unit that there were several shortcomings including the lack of isolated-treatment facilities that were urgently required.  
It said necessary facilities should be in place to perform medical checkups especially on passengers arriving from high-risk areas and added that the medical supplies at the Angoda Fever Hospital did not suffice in the long run and there were no rooms to isolate the patients.  

The GMOA said even the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) lacked a sufficient quantity of medicines and emphasised the need to address these issues on an emergency basis.  

It said doctors and medical staff should be provided with the facilities to carry out universal precautions and medical tests according to international standards.  The GMOA advised that infected passengers be isolated at a separate institution rather than confined to their homes.   

Meanwhile, assuring the public that there was no reason to panic, it requested the public to be well-informed and urged them to follow the Coronavirus management guide issued by the Health Ministry.