Health Ministry declares one-week emergency

The Ministry of Health and Mass Media has declared a one-week emergency in the health sector, effective from today (28) until December 4, to ensure the continuous provision of medical services amid the prevailing disaster caused by Cyclone Ditwah.

A special advisory issued by Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe outlines urgent measures to maintain 24-hour patient care during the crisis.

All health-sector leave has been cancelled with immediate effect, and hospital directors and institutional heads have been instructed to prepare staffing plans to guarantee uninterrupted services.

Hospitals located in disaster-prone areas have been advised to discharge patients who can safely return home on medical recommendation. In additon, vulnerable medical equipment and patient care units must be relocated to safer areas within hospital premises.

The circular further directs authorities to ensure adequate stocks of essential medicines, medical gases, and other critical supplies. Hospitals have also been instructed to make advance arrangements with nearby facilities to transfer ICU and critically ill patients if emergency conditions arise.