From the time, the COVID-19 outbreak was first detected in Sri Lanka, the political commitment played a major role in controlling the epidemic in the country to this level and preventing the community transmission, Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi said.
Addressing the gathering after accepting 200 portable ventilators donated by the USAID, she said that the National Task Force was established under the leadership of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, bringing the Health Ministry, the Tri-Forces, the Police, Intelligence and other related disciplines together. Their primary task was identified as advising the government on the steps to control the epidemic.
According to Minister Wanniarachchi, portable ventilators are essential in treating patients with pneumonia conditions, which is a known complication of the COVID-19 infection. I wish to extend my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the United States Agency for International Development (USAIDS) for providing the support during this point of time by donating 200 portable ventilators to Sri Lanka, she said.
“These ventilators will be distributed among the secondary and tertiary care level hospitals in the country and would serve to save the lives of many people during the time of COVID-19 and afterwards. This donation will supplement our efforts to improve medical care and will strengthen our readiness to face any increased burden of severe cases,” she added.
