BTI from Cuba suspended

2 March 2010 11:01 am - 36 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Indika Sri Aravinda

At least 50 people have died in just two months after being diagnosed with dengue, the Health Ministry said and warned that the situation could get out of control of proper precautions are not taken.

Meanwhile the government has suspended the decision to purchase 30000 liters of Bacillus Thuringiensis Israelensis (BTI) bacteria from a Cuban company to control the spread of dengue.

Director of the Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health Dr. Paba Palihawadana, speaking to Daily Mirror online, said that 8000 people were diagnosed with dengue over the past two months out of which 50 people later died.

She said that the most number of cases have been reported from Colombo, Gampaha, Kalutara, Jaffna and Vavuniya. The health official blamed the provincial councils for the spread of the disease saying they had failed to properly clean water lodged areas to prevent mosquito breeding.

The import of the BTI bacteria to counter the spread of dengue had been given Cabinet approval however a Health Ministry official speaking to Daily Mirror online on the condition of anonymity said that a decision has now been taken to suspend the import of the bacteria owing to the cost involved. (Daily Mirror online)

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Comments - 36

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 09:48 PM

If Cubans are our 'friends,' they should give us a 'culture' free-of-charge and tell us how to grow it in bulk. If not, we should have enough people, with brain-power, to work out how to grow it. This bacterium can be bought from 'culture collections,' around the world.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 01:29 PM

Those politicians do not understand the plight of the people -the fear, pain and agony. They will do their utmost only if one of them is bitten by a dengue mosquito. (I wonder why these dengue mosquitoes do not bite politicians)

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 01:39 PM

first thing to ban all coil making companies,these multinational companies making coils is the biggest mafia.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 01:56 PM

Nilan: Mosquitos are averse at biting thick skins.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 02:37 PM

Once bitten twice shy does not apply to our reactionary policos.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 02:41 PM

You are on the spot. Let the face the song..its pity but what to do? our morons will never understand the reality...

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 05:22 PM

'Way to go,' Nimal!

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 07:43 PM

Fail!

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 08:44 PM

In the end, everything is decided on the amount of the 'commission'?

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 01:16 PM

This is really sad to see. Defineatly mosquito coil traders are there. This was discussed many months with Cuba after presidents visit and this is the end results with health ministry.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 10:25 PM

Cubans are not for 'commissions' ... so that is the end of the story ... 'suba anagathayak'!

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 04:04 AM

Calistus... Please talk only if you have evidence... without evidence dont spread rumors...

Further, our country has enough population. say 1000 or 10000 dying because of Dengui will give some spce to others to live.. :)

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 04:14 AM

No, it is other way, may be the authority did not get the expected commission.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 04:28 AM

What is Minister of Health and Minister of Environment doing? Aren't they ashamed of canvassing for vote to come back to power without doing justice for the people?

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 04:38 AM

If the bacteria imported was successful why stop it - even tho its costly. Did the health min ever examine the costs of treating so many dengue patients vs the cost of the bacteria.

I think also if the efficient govt cd control the garbage accumulation, stagnant water in drains, unhygienic lakes, rivers etc. - the spread of dengue & other diseases spread by mosquitoes, rats, crows, etc. cd be controlled. First start with all the govt depts where there are huge garbage dumps within the premises. I hv seen huge dumps just outside where even ministers live. And nothing is done to even reduce such dumpts. In spite of all this, even some of the survivors of patients who hv died of dengue still support patriots like Siripala. Sri Lanka - a land like no other.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 04:43 AM

This is very serious, This should not be delayed further , Authorities do not feel as they would not become victims of the dengue.

Wednesday, 03 March 2010 05:14 AM

Whether people die of Dengue, swine flu or rat fever what our fellows wanted was the proper cut! Discussion on the deal did not succeed to their hearts' content. So, it did not come thro. This is the truth and and who cares how many dies and how many suffers? Let's wait till the day dawns when the people would speak, and speak LOUD AND CLEAR!!!

Thursday, 04 March 2010 10:15 AM

BTI bacteria introduced in the water bodies we can't be complacent and the work will be multiplied because it needs lot of analysis and observation. There is no easy fix for this the bacteria may not have lasting effect and it may not last for a few weeks! Can we use paraquat to weed and keep satisfied that the toxin won't ruin other eco systems? Cuba and Sri Lanka are in two different climate zones and latitudes!

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:52 AM

If this happened in a western country, They will postpone the elections , save that money and get down the BTI and resolve the issue. In my country , advance the election to get the benefit of the war , spend all money for the elections ansd ask people to die in Dengu. Who cares. We should protect this govt for ever!!!!!

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:21 AM

Easily solved. Send half a dozen parasitic ministers packing and we will have saved enough to fund the program for the next 10 years!

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:27 AM

All government actions are like these..................

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:29 AM

Mosquito Coil Traders may be behind the decision.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:37 AM

It's a stupid Idea to spread this useless bacteria & It's impossible to spread it all over the island. Even in Cuba Dengue problem is not solved with this bacteria ! . Go through internet & look in to it !.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:44 AM

It took only three days to pass Ministers pension act in parliament allowing them full pension in just five years, it took 2 days to approve the document to import luxury vehicles for all ministers and provincial councillers, Mihin Lanka swallows 11 million eachday as losses against public money all to keep MR's ego going while it takes only 53 million to import 30,000 litres of BTI to support 19 million citizens against dengue. The fault lies squarely on the citizens of this country for being morons right through out.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:46 AM

Probably the company refused to pay commissions.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:46 AM

Or was the percentage not forthcoming before the election. Better for another 50 to die, I suppose.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:47 AM

It is really a shame for Mother Lanka. We couldn't produce our own chemical to suit the local conditions in SriLanka.The politicians shouldn't be blamed always but our professionals.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:18 AM

The Cubans are very stingy: they dont give enough commissions and that probably is the reason why the Minister of Health must have decided to suspend the purchases. Anyway, the same Minister who boasted that if they could kill the vicious tigers, killing a few mosquitos is not such a big deal. So, lets see practical results and not "Kaivaru".

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:57 AM

Mr. President this is very sad situation in sri lanka , pls look in to it,

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 11:58 AM

Still authority is sleeping, what kind of Health Minister we have

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 12:03 PM

wonderful move.

"How many deaths will it take till these idiots know, that too many people have died"?

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 12:34 PM

Expect another crack of a joke from our 'Healthy Minister' at the expense of patients.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 12:51 PM

First and foremost people need to do more to protect themselves. Buy wire mesh and cover the grills and windows in your homes. Add a cheap wire mesh secondary door to your main door and all doors in the house. This is common in other parts of the world to prevent bugs and mosquitoes from entering the house. Thoe whole operation wont cost more than Rs20,000?? Cheaper than paying hospital bills.

Then the canals in Colombo need to be closed down or fixed up.

Government will pay more in healthcare costs than save any money..

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 12:54 PM

Originally this idea of getting help from Cuba raised during thr time Mrs. Kumaranatunge. Still undecided means, no one cares about the grave threats of Moquito spread diseases.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 12:58 PM

It looks that cost to be spent for the project is more importent than human lives.This is how health minister care about people.Selct them again in the coming general election.

Tuesday, 02 March 2010 01:01 PM

Democratic Peoples republic of Sri Zombi Land

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BTI from Cuba suspended

Comments - 36

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