Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Sunday Nov 24, 2024
Wednesday, 14 October 2020 01:49 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
State Minister Dr. Nalaka Godahewa on 10 October met the staff of the Epidemiology Unit and Public Health Inspectors who are playing a crucial role in combating the new COVID -19 spread in Gampaha District.
Addressing the staff, he said: “Personally I am quite satisfied with the measures taken by Government officers to handle this new COVID-19 challenge. There are two important aspects here. One is curtailing the further spread of the virus and other is finding the origins of this new wave in order to solve the problem completely. I can see both aspects are being handled well. On the other hand understanding the full picture of the hardships faced by people and giving them speedy solutions is also very important.”
The Minister further said: “Gampaha District experienced a serious situation this time around. Because unlike the previous wave, a large number of cases emerged rapidly in a very short period of time. But thanks to the past experience and having managed the previous corona situation well, Gampaha GA and other Government officials so far have been able to manage the situation adequately. It had the least impact on people’s day-to-day affairs though Police curfew has been enforced in several Police divisions in Gampaha District.
“At this moment the Government has paid attention mainly to two areas. First is identifying the people who are infected, the origins of infection and facilitating impacted people for quarantine. I am sure you are aware that either the origin of the first infected person or all infected patients have not yet been identified. Public health officials and police officers are working towards achieving this feat. “Another important aspect is to ensure that people’s lives are least impacted due this crisis. In previous instances we remember, at times people had constraints even to buy their daily essentials. But this time the Government took decisions in a speedy manner to avoid such difficulties to citizens. Especially outlets to buy essentials have been opened for the public already. Unlike last time pharmacies and health facilities have been given the green light to function. In the meantime crucial places like religious places, pirivenas, children’s homes, etc. which face many difficulties during a crisis like this, have been looked after by the Government and GA already.
“Overall, I believe that you have taken adequate measures to the best of your ability to face the crisis, though we have more work to do. It is also important that we ensure the safety of the Government officials, public health officers and police officers etc. who have to work closely with the masses. Today members of Siyana Kathikawa under my leadership were able to hand over 5,000 face masks for the benefit of public-facing Government officials. It is the responsibility of each and every one to help each other in a crisis like this.”
