Typhoid vaccines for IDPs
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
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A vaccine being
innoculated. ANCL file photo |
The Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry is ready with 100,000 doses of
typhoid vaccines to treat IDPs in welfare centres. Arrangements have
also been made to provide viral hepatitis vaccine with the support of
the Italian Government, a Ministry spokesman said.
He said the typhoid vaccine has been purchased jointly by WHO and the
MTI.
The Ministry made requests for those vaccines to treat hepatitis and
typhoid cases in Cheddikulam. USAID has donated Rs. 200 million worth
medical equipment and four vehicles to be used for IDP care. According
to the spokesman, discussions have been held on how to prepare for the
monsoon season which is fast approaching. Priority will be given to
cover the Referral Centre (the largest point of medical care within the
zone) with special material.
Construction will begin next week for another drug store which will
enable people to have easier access to drug supplies.
The ministry started to monitor and act on controlling meningitis and
encephalitis outbreaks long before the media started to discover it and
report it. The ministry requests both local and foreign media to refrain
from publishing inaccurate information because the Ministry provides
accurate and up to date statistics and information through its weekly
updates on the health activities, he said. Publishing inaccurate reports
undermines and hinders the efforts of not only the Sri Lankan
Government, but also all the other agencies working tirelessly in the
field, he added.
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