GMOA blames Epidemiology Unit for Covid-19 crisis

… alleges irregularities in vaccination drive

 The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) yesterday (19) alleged that the country was facing a daunting challenge in countering the fast spreading Covid-19 pandemic due to the failure on the part of the Epidemiology Unit.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando, issuing a media statement, after GMOA representatives met Health Minister Pavitra Wanniarachchi, said that the head of the Epidemiology Unit (Dr. Sudath Samaraweera) and a few specialists attached to it mishandled the pandemic.

Dr. Samaraweera was not immediately available for comment.

Dr. Fernando said that the Executive Committee of the GMOA had briefed Minister Wanniarachchi as regards the shortcomings on the part of the Epidemiology Unit and also serious irregularities in the ongoing inoculation drive.

The GMOA has submitted a seven-point plan for reorganising the overall efforts namely (1) proving irregularities in the vaccination campaign, (2) attaching a community physician (specialist) to the team handling the vaccination drive, (3) formulating national vaccination programme, (4) assigning Covid-19 control work to the Deputy Health Services Director (Public Health-1) attached to the Epidemiology Unit, (5) launching a project on the lines of anti-Malaria campaign, (6) making arrangements for accommodating those not in high risk group at their own homes and (7) inoculating health staff and their families depending on the threat level. (SF)