A total of 88,371 dengue cases and nearly 100 dengue deaths had been reported from across the country by last Friday (13th). The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) extended its fullest support to the Health Ministry to control the spread of dengue in the country, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.
Addressing a press conference held at the GMOA Head Quarters in Colombo on Friday he said that the GMOA warned the Government last year and the Health Minister appointed during the 51-day Government called for a meeting and took steps to control the spread of the diseas. Only 58 dengue deaths were reported last year but so far this year over 90 deaths have been reported. GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Samantha Ananda said that decisions taken during the meeting were not implemented by the previous regime which came to power again last December. Therefore dengue has reached epidemic level in the country now.
GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Navin De Zoysa said that 21,101 dengue patients had been reported from all parts of the country last month. Colombo recorded the highest with 18,237 patients followed by Jaffna with 6,267 patients.
A large amount of money was used on foreign tours under the pretext of finding a permanent solution to the menace during the previous regime.
The GMOA has presented a proposal with 10 steps to control dengue and it GMOA will extend its fullest support to the Health Ministry to curb the spread of the disease, he added.