Health Ministry clarifies health expert’s take on delaying pregnancy

Referring to the request made by Gynaecologist of the De Soysa Maternity Hospital for women Dr. Harsha Atapattu to delay pregnancy by one year, given the Delta variant spread, the Health Ministry said it was not its official stand.

The Medical specialist expressed these views yesterday (8) while addressing a news briefing at the Health Promotion Bureau (HPB).

Commenting on the statement, Deputy Director General of Health Services Dr. Hemantha Herath told media today (09) that the medical specialists who address news briefings at the HPB do not communicate the official stance of the Health Ministry or the Government but express their views in order to educate people on the prevailing situation.

“My take on this is that it’s a fair request at this point of time where the dreaded Delta variant poses a vast threat on pregnant women,” he underlined.

However, Dr. Herath said it was not meant to force anyone to delay pregnancy but to help and make people understand the gravity of the pandemic which could adversely affect the pregnant women.

“The statement made by the medical specialist boils down to the importance of being more alert as we all know a little of the COVID-19,” he pointed out.

Meanwhile, Dr. Herath said there is a considerable proportion of elderly people who had not still got a single dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

“It is this group of people who contribute to the rise in daily COVID deaths. Hence, people who haven’t not got themselves vaccinated are invited to get their vaccines without further delay,” he added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)