(High Blood Pressure, Diabetes, High Cholesterol, Heart Diseases, Stroke, Thyroid diseases, Long term Respiratory diseases and Liver Diseases).
Covid-19 virus is spreading globally, and Sri Lanka is affected as well. Patients suffering from chronic NCDs are at a higher risk of acquiring the diseases and developing associated complications.
Please continue your routine medications as prescribed.
Please send a responsible person with the relevant documents to collect your medications from the medical clinic of your hospital.
If you are unable to visit the medical clinic on the given day, please visit the OPD to get your medication prescribed on another weekday.
Please try to maintain at least 1-meter distance between each other. If you have any respiratory symptoms (cough, fever, shortness of breath) please contact nearest hospital or 117 (special Covid-19 helpline).
If you have reason to suspect you have got Covid-19 infection (above symptoms and recent foreign travel or contact with a confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patient) please contact the closest designated Covid-19 treatment center, and do not directly visit the medical clinicEmergency care will be provided as usual for the Non- communicable diseases related emergencies at hospitals.If you are under self-quarantine, please contact your area medical officer of health (MOH)/ Public Health Inspector (PHI) to get your routine NCD medications.
Current evidence supports that the smokers and alcohol consumers are at high risk of complications due to Covid-19. Please refrain from smoking and alcohol consumption. Additionally, it is recommended to be physically active, consume healthy food and maintain hydration at optimum level.
IF YOU THINK YOU ARE SICK?
These are the most common symptoms of Covid-19. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
Fever
Cough
Sore throat
Difficulty in breathing
Having these symptoms doesn’t mean you have Covid-19. However, since these are common symptoms of the Covid-19 infection, for the sake of those close to you, please follow the measures mentioned below. Understand that this is part of your national responsibility.
Do not leave home for any reason other than seeking medical advice.
If possible, use a separate room for yourself.
Always keep a distance of at least one metre between yourself and others at home.
If possible, use a separate washroom. If this is not possible, always wash the taps, doorknobs etc. after use with soap and water. Do not encourage visitors to the house. Frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water. Ask your family members to do the same.Use separate cups, plates, towels and bedspreads. Wash them separately with soap and water.
Cover your mouth and nose with a disposable tissue or the inside of your elbow when coughing and sneezing. Safely dispose of the used tissues.
Do not reuse face masks and gloves etc. Dispose them in a garbage bin with a lid. If you have returned from abroad or associated someone who has Covid-19 or someone suspected of being infected within the past 14 days, immediately report to the Public Health Inspector (PHI) or the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) of your area.
Call 1999 hotline for medical and other advice regarding Covid-19.
Call 1990 for ambulance facilities in case of an emergency.
A person with the above symptoms, who has returned to Sri Lanka from any country within the past 14 days or having close-contact with a confirmed or suspected Covid-19 patient during the last 14 days prior to onset of symptoms or with severe acute pneumonia regardless of travel or contact history as decided by the treating Consultant are advised to seek medical advice from the nearest Government Hospital immediately.
Source: Health Education Bureau