World’s first dengue control unit for people of all ages opens in Sri Lanka

Wednesday, 17 July 2013 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka has given top priority to disease prevention in accordance with the country’s health policy and the Government is now taking steps to improve all hospitals from the rural to the National Hospital, Colombo. Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa made this observation when he addressed a meeting held in connection with the opening of the Centre for Clinical Management of Dengue and Haemorrhagic Fever at Negombo on Monday 15 July. Established on a concept by Consultant Paediatrician Dr. Lakkumar Fernando, this centre is the first of its kind in the world for treating dengue patients of all ages – children and adults – under one roof. Minister Rajapaksa and Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena jointly opened the new centre.

It is equipped with 20 multipara monitors required for treating serious cases of dengue, one sound scanner, four ventilators and 20 infusion pumps. Among the objectives of this centre are to manage patients of all ages by a common specialised medical team and to function as a centre for training medical officers in the latest dengue treatment methods. Speaking further Minister Basil Rajapaksa said that the Government was working with great dedication towards improving Sri Lanka’s health standards and a number of hospitals and maternal health care clinics have been developed according to international standards. He added that the new centre would serve not only the people of Negombo but people all over the country. The Minister commended all staff of the centre for setting an example to others by their dedication to duties. He noted that everything at this centre had been well-planned and accomplished under the guidance and on the advice of knowledgeable persons in the relevant field and therefore it had been a success. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Western Province Chief Minister Prasanna Ranatunga, Fisheries Deputy Minister Sarath Gunaratne, MP Dr. Sudarshini Fernandopulle, Western Province Health Minister Jagath Angage, Western Province Minister Nimal Lansa, Negombo Mayor Anton Jayaweera and Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Nihal Jayatilleke and doctors and staff of the centre were among the large crowd present.