Two key medical professionals resign from COVID Technical Committee

7 September 2021 12:58 pm - 16 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Senior Consultant Physician attached to the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama has resigned from the Intercollegiate Technical Committee of the Director-General of Health Services, informed sources told Daily Mirror today.

According to sources, Dr. Asoka Gunaratne, Consultant Anaesthetist, too has stepped down from the same Technical Committee after Dr Wijewickrama resigned from the committee.

“Several key decisions in respect of the Home Care Management, vaccination programme and other matters related to COVID-19 pandemic in the country, which were supposed to be taken by the relevant committee, have been taken by several makeshift and unofficial committees on several occasions,” sources said.

Decisions such as to give the Sputnik-V to Kandy with a letter which stated that they are given only a single dose of the vaccine and to vaccinate individuals in the age group of 20 to 29 in the Hambantota District with Pfizer have been taken without the knowledge of the committee in which Dr Wijewickrama was a key member.

The decision to give Pfizer to 20-29 age group was the immediate cause that precipitated the resignation and the letter issued by DGHS on this has been against all recommendations made.

Accordingly, Dr Wijewickrama and the other consultant have resigned in protest of the arbitrary decisions taken beyond the due recommendations.

The duo have informed the Director-General of Health Services and the Secretary to the Health Ministry about their resignation.

However, sources proceeded to say that the gazetted body which mainly decides on the immunization strategy in the country is the Advisory Committee on Communicable Diseases (ACCD), which has been in action prior to the pandemic.

"The ACCD has a wide representation unlike the Intercollegiate Technical Committee of the Director-General of Health Services, which was appointed after the pandemic and is an official committee," sources added.

Earlier, top immunologist Prof. Neelika Malavige from the Sri Jayewardenepura University and Prof. A. Pathmeswaran (community physician) attached to the Colombo North (Ragama) Medical Faculty had also resigned from the independent vaccine advisory expert committee of the drug regulator. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

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Comments - 16

Siribiris Tuesday, 07 September 2021 01:24 PM

Who can work this bunch of people ? Better to resign rather than getting a bad name on you . People will start cursing in near future .

Mizaru Tuesday, 07 September 2021 01:25 PM

Has the cookie begun to crumble?

Cyrus de Mel Tuesday, 07 September 2021 01:27 PM

At least some professionals have a backbone and self respect.

Bernard Tuesday, 07 September 2021 01:42 PM

We can come to a conclusion that they have resigned due to heavy politicization in the vaccination programme where a certain nepotism Minister who wields considerable influence over all the Ministries had given preference to his District where nepotism is rooted to vaccine the people with Pfizer which should have been administered to over 60 vulnerable people for enhanced immunity.

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 07 September 2021 02:15 PM

It is full southern yakko leadership without accountability but like the gamay chandiya. Dan Sapada?

Antonita Tuesday, 07 September 2021 02:17 PM

I can only admire these professionals who don’t bow down to the thugs/political administration! The world has become a vaccine mafia! Youngsters queuing up to be vaccinated when they have a top notch functioning immune system! Can’t blame them too, the entire world works like brainwashed cattle! Israel has announced the need for a 4th shot! Keep taking unnecessary shots! Until you start thinking for yourself, you’ll be driven from pillar to post, with fear mongering and Big Pharma lobbying!

AC Tuesday, 07 September 2021 03:06 PM

We salute you for your bold decision with these sort of jokers in parliament.

Punith Tuesday, 07 September 2021 04:32 PM

I don't blame him, when military leading the show, Doctors have no say there.

joshua Tuesday, 07 September 2021 06:13 PM

Bunch of jokers running the country and leading the vaccination. Well done doctors for showing your displeasure.

Anura Nanayakkara Tuesday, 07 September 2021 06:53 PM

This is a great mistake by the government letting down the experts in field, to feel useless in their service. Politicians should not interfere with health experts , as Politicians are not a qualified lot to take decisions on health matters.

Be Fair Tuesday, 07 September 2021 07:16 PM

Very Bold and Just decision. In the end selected guys get the vaccines, Party gets the Vote from the District but People who need most Support

LankaLover Tuesday, 07 September 2021 08:19 PM

What could be the real reason for the resignations?

Kawadia Tuesday, 07 September 2021 08:42 PM

Ask them to win next election from Hambantota votes.

cineha Tuesday, 07 September 2021 09:03 PM

The Director General of Health Services seems to be a shameless person without a back bone. He should have been the first person to object those politicized vaccinations.

Kanthi Ratnayake Tuesday, 07 September 2021 09:09 PM

Hats off to the medical professionals who got backbones. We salute you.

Sammy Tuesday, 07 September 2021 09:30 PM

Favouritism for Hambantota

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Two key medical professionals resign from COVID Technical Committee

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