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COVID: Medical professionals warn of underlying grave national catastrophe

8 May 2021 05:08 pm - 31     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The country might soon face a COVID disaster of unprecedented major proportions where we would even have to be selective as to whom we would treat and whom we are compelled to succumb to the disease, Medical Professionals warned today.

In a letter to the President, the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA), the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS), together with the SLMA Intercollegiate Committee (SMIC), warned that the COVID deaths may reach unprecedented levels and that would be a real potential threat in the near future.

“We wish to emphasise that all healthcare resources are being overwhelmed, as indicated by the rapid increase in the utilization of all health sector beds and healthcare facilities by COVID patients. 

The number requiring oxygen is very quickly and exponentially rising while waiting for Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and hospital beds, is also occurring,” they underlined.

The Medical Professionals were also concerned with the fact that the numbers of patients waiting at home for a bed were increasing and added there were significant delays in providing beds and in-patient care to those who really deserve it.

“In such a context, an increase in deaths over the next three weeks or more would be unavoidable. The COVID deaths may reach unprecedented levels and a grave national catastrophe is a real potential threat in the near future,” the Medial Professionals stressed.  

They said as such it had become essential to provide relief to overwhelmed hospitals and to do everything possible to buy time until at least 60 per cent of our people are vaccinated.

Against this backdrop, they requested the President to consider implementing the following recommendations as early as possible.

1. Implement strict restrictions of movements of people by very stringent implementation of the Extraordinary Government Gazette notification on controlling COVID-19, published in October 2020.

2. Decide on implementation of selected Lockdown Processes of certain areas,  based only on scientific evidence of the density of caseloads. Restriction of inter-district movement of people would also be necessary if and when indicated.

3. Maintain supplies to and services provided by selected essential service sectors and economic hubs under stringent monitoring for COVID-19 infections and scrupulous attention to preventive strategies.

4. Authorize the isolation of families at homes, along with* home management of asymptomatic cases, while being carefully and assiduously monitored by health care professionals. This should be complemented by arrangements being made for early transfer of needy patients with pneumonia, to the closest designated hospitals.

5. Strengthen the curative sector by supplying adequate facilities such as beds, oxygen and ICU facilities.

6. Strengthen the laboratory services island-wide for diagnosis of COVID-19 with PCR testing and also by ensuring steady and uninterrupted supply chain.

7. Implement widespread vaccination in adequate doses at the earliest possible opportunity.

“If all of us do not put our collective shoulder to the wheel, the authorities may be compelled to implement even stricter lockdown control measures as well as even curfews, to try and control the ravages of this pandemic," the Medical Professionals added.

They reiterated that if the government does not act now, it would mean even more severe and sustained hardships for the general populace in the near future. (Sheain Fernandopulle)


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  Comments - 31

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  • RoaringCreek Saturday, 08 May 2021 05:25 PM

    There is urgent, simple and single solution to this debacle in the COVID-19 control program. It is because it is not headed by medial professionals. This needs to be corrected.

    karu Saturday, 08 May 2021 05:27 PM

    Sounds scary.

    Angora Saturday, 08 May 2021 05:34 PM

    It seems much much too late. The strength previously of Manual contact tracing and isolating contacts of nearly 2000 positive cases each day quicker not possible due to large number unlike in 1st wave so it’s spreading and spreading!! No restrictions implemented no border movements monitored ... Testing low, no vaccines Any strategy must have all working together..

    Dora Saturday, 08 May 2021 05:35 PM

    It has to be a multi pronged strategy 1-all follow Prescribed health practices for covid19-ie Social and physical distancing, masks, washing hands and hand sanitizer 2-Test and contact tracing 3-isolation and quarantine 4-required restrictions-on movements, lockdowns , certain activities and events and type have f activities etc 5-boarder and country closures to those from high risk countries 6- and vaccines to be given non stop with a target amount to be vaccinated by target date All this must happen simultaneously Does Sri Lankan have a plan a strategy That’s the question....

    Saddie Saturday, 08 May 2021 05:37 PM

    Never heard of Hammer and dance strategy so no short lockdowns and boarder movements and trace restrictions!!! Dance dance away to death

    Ranaweera Saturday, 08 May 2021 05:45 PM

    Give the vaccine, opposition has been protesting against the Chinese vaccine and now the Russian vaccine. NMRA doctors have been sleeping for a month although China has given all the details in March. Now the same Doctors say things are not good.

    jayath nandana Saturday, 08 May 2021 05:53 PM

    This is the ground reality. But this idiotic goverment leaders listen only to "expired " politicians . Not to veterns . My motherland is near the mouth of an abyss . We all will be victims

    Marie Saturday, 08 May 2021 06:10 PM

    Agree with RoaringCreek the task force has to be headed by Medical Professionals. It’s not too late to implement this.

    Nadi Karunaratne Saturday, 08 May 2021 06:12 PM

    You don't have to be a health expert to see what is coming down the track. We have seen how this is playing out across the Palk Strait. The government has a huge task and limited resources but it has been behind the curve despite multiple warnings and ample evidence. Lockdown now.

    Siribiris Saturday, 08 May 2021 06:15 PM

    Oh my goodness . Pathetic situation . Government do not have a proper plan to ovovercome this situation which is very sad . They talk big but no work.

    Jayasiri Perera Saturday, 08 May 2021 06:36 PM

    Country and its people will not be safe unless the leaders act wisely and quickly. This should not be a political game at the expense of our lives! You cannot control this virus unless everyone is vaccinated!

    Sarath Saturday, 08 May 2021 07:04 PM

    All the useless associations such as gmoa and others did nothing , dr.sudarshani fernandopulle is talking crap daily .. they said we are under control and now saying.. appoooo appive bereganne!!shameful

    Mike Revere Saturday, 08 May 2021 07:43 PM

    We were rushing through Port City and neglected rushing through getting the vaccines.

    Dee Saturday, 08 May 2021 07:52 PM

    Deploy the multi barrel to fight the virus! Let's have celebration parade next year!

    Senarath Saturday, 08 May 2021 08:08 PM

    Dear All, don't wait for the Government to announce the lockdown. Please do your part and stay at home limiting unnecessary movements. It is you who will die, not the Government or the stupid officers who are in COVID prevention operation in the country, if you get infected. It will be your loved ones, who will miss you and suffer. So think wise, act wise and stay away from the virus.

    Ganesh Kumar Saturday, 08 May 2021 08:18 PM

    This joint warning by the Medical Associations indicates the seriousness of the current situation. Authorities needs to act swiftly to avoid an Indian type catastrophe.

    Chris Saturday, 08 May 2021 08:24 PM

    All talk and no concrete solutions. Government did what they asked for earlier but where are we now. All book worms following outdated data from overseas.

    Joshua Saturday, 08 May 2021 08:42 PM

    The army commander is not seeing or hearing this....

    Bruce Lee Saturday, 08 May 2021 09:36 PM

    The Country's civil leaders need a reality check. Please heed to the advice of the health professionals, it is not too late....or you will face consequences too!

    Peacemaker Saturday, 08 May 2021 09:40 PM

    But gota and henchmen never care about innocent people, they will let the people die

    Chaminda Ramanayake Saturday, 08 May 2021 10:58 PM

    Trust me. I know for sure the numbers will decrease in coming week. Never trust what there associations say. You may argue with me now. But when one week and see.

    Shiro Saturday, 08 May 2021 11:26 PM

    Totally agree that it should be the medical profession making in charge of managing the situation. The military can support in implementation. Every situation needs to be managed by the relevant experts. Where would Sri Lanka have been if the doctors had been put in charge of fighting the LTTE?

    Demuni Uduwara Saturday, 08 May 2021 11:51 PM

    You can say that again!

    Mahesh Saturday, 08 May 2021 11:52 PM

    Lockdown would be the best solution but current government may not listen to these guys. Current leadera should take the responsibility for 600 deaths and any more in future.

    Adam Speak Saturday, 08 May 2021 11:54 PM

    Karma, Justice

    Antonita Saturday, 08 May 2021 11:59 PM

    China is a closed country. No transparency at all. Even now, no one knows what’s happening. Also Chilie used the Chinese vaccine on a massive scale and the hospitals are struggling with a new variant. Indian variant can evade immunity. Hence a complete and tight lockdown needs to start now to minimise deaths and hospitals being overwhelmed.

    Thinker Sunday, 09 May 2021 03:43 PM

    I can remember a medical professional from UK advising us to take drastic measures such as lock down, washing hands, face masks and social distancing. We were warned the numbers will drastically increase by leaps and bounds. We should have stopped all religious festivities, meetings, closure of airports and from president to man in the house adhered strict isolation. The forces should have diployed to distribute provisions in all the province and country served free of charge.

    Thavam Sunday, 09 May 2021 08:14 PM

    Please do your part and stay at home limiting unnecessary movements. It is you who will die, not the Government. So think wise, act wise and stay away from the virus.

    CNW PATHIRANA Sunday, 09 May 2021 09:30 PM

    This is clearly Govt failure, they wanted public to enjoy New Year to forget Govt issues like COCONUT OIL scam, and people also felt they are safe with Govt stopping all warnings, controls etc.

    abo Sunday, 09 May 2021 10:32 PM

    Too late advised by so call professional association

    Gamarala Tuesday, 11 May 2021 12:22 AM

    This is a natural way of controlling the population. As it is S/L is overpopulated to its size. The ideal population for a country such as S/L is around 5 to 6 million people per our GDP and cultivable land mass. This is a natural way of controlling the population.


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