Secret Galle inoculation project: Two GMOA members moved out, no further action expected

…such things happened at Welikada prison, LRH, National Hospital and Abhayaramaya

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Regional Epidemiologist Dr. Venura Kumara and Regional Deputy Director, Health Services, Southern Province Dr. Priyantha Jeewaratne have been transferred to the Health Ministry pool after they acknowledged inoculating persons from the Western Province contrary to specific instructions issued by the Director General of Health Services (DGHS). Both are members of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

The administration of booster doses was carried out under their supervision. A significant number of vehicles, many from Colombo and its suburbs reached Galle despite countrywide travel restrictions.

Well informed sources told The Island that the Health Ministry was unlikely to take further action as the two officials were under the Public Service Commission (PSC). A couple of hundred  persons had received the Covishield-branded version of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine.

The Island

sought the views of Dr. Rukshan Bellana, President of the Government Medical Officers’ Forum (GMOF regarding the Galle incident as he was the first medical practitioner to criticise inoculating people outside the laid out procedures. Dr. Bellana said that those in authority should be ashamed of using the Welikada prison premises for a secret inoculation project. Thousands had been inoculated at the LRH and the National Hospital, Dr. Bellana said, pointing out that the Health Ministry had taken disciplinary measures only in the latest case.

The transfer of two health officials came close on heels of State Minister of Production, Supply and Regulation of Pharmaceuticals Prof. Channa Jayasumana’s assurance in Parliament on June 8 that an inquiry would be conducted.

Dr. Bellana pointed out that Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi was on record as having said that inoculation of people at Abhayaramaya in Narahenpita hadn’t been carried out under the supervision of the Health Ministry.

Dr. Bellana faulted the Health Ministry for failing to adhere to a proper plan to carryout countrywide inoculation drive.

The police headquarters said that they weren’t conducting an inquiry into the Galle incident.