A total of three doctors in Sri Lanka have been infected with COVID-19 so far while one doctor is in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). One doctor has recovered fully and has been discharged. Around 40 doctors are now being quarantined, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.
According to Dr. Aluthge, the condition of the doctor in the ICU has improved and around 20 doctors from the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital had to undergo quarantine. More doctors from the Negombo, Kalubowila, and Ragama hospitals had to undergo quarantine. Several General Practitioners are among them, both from the state and private sector. This is due to their exposure to irresponsible COVID-19 patients.
Dr. Aluthge pointed out that around 15 nurses from the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital had to undergo quarantine and around 50 health staff members from state health institutions are now being quarantined. This is a pathetic situation created by some irresponsible individuals. The country will face a grave situation if doctors, nurses and health staff members are not present to treat patients.
It is the responsibility of all to tell the truth. They should call the nearest MOH Office, PHI, Police Station, 119, 011244480, 011244481 or any other telephone number given by the Government and follow the advise without going to private doctors, private hospitals, state hospitals etc for treatment for flu like symptoms. The people should wear a face mask and go to the nearest designated hospital among the 30 hospitals allocated for suspected COVID-19 patients after calling the given telephone numbers and obtain instructions, he said.
Personal Protective Equipment should be provided for all MOHs and other relevant doctors in order to protect their lives and prevent them from undergoing the 14 day compulsory quarantine whenever they are exposed to COVID-19 patients, he added.