Saturday, September 29, 2012

Heart Diseases Are On Increase In Developing Countries

Whilst  heart diseases are declining in developed countries it's on increase in  developing countries  including Sri Lanka ,India and Thailand according to one of the top Cardiologist in the country Dr.Ruwan Ekanayake.Mental Stress,Smoking,Consuming Liquor,Uncontrolled Diabetes,Hypertension.Cholesterol,Lack of Exercises are among major factors which caused this situation dr.ekanayake has said.

It has been reported that most of the Sri Lankans have consuming a higher amount of sugar,salt and oil more than the recommended levels of them by world health organization(WHO)whilst WHO has recommended 9 teaspoons of sugar daily for males and 6 teaspoons for females most of the locals are getting used to consume double of that amount he stressed."only one teaspoon full of oil required per person daily but our people have consuming more than double of this amount "dr,ekanayake has  revealed.

According to the latest statistics around 30% of the 7 annual deaths reported from the country from non communicable diseases are due to heart diseases.around 50% of people having hypertension are not received any treatment as they are not aware on the disease.

To overcome this situation it is important to lead a healthy life with required level of exercises,controlled diabetes,cholesterol and hypertension and a healthy diet pattern including lots of fruits and vegetables medical specialists said.

The "World Heart Day" falls on tomorrow(30) and to mark the day there is a special walk with the participation of various professionals and politicians begin from Temple Treas in Colombo tomorrow morning.


Tuesday, September 25, 2012

700 Base,Rural , Pheriphery Hospitals And Central Dispenseries Shut Down Due to A Strike

Around 700 Base,Rural ,Periphery Hospitals and Central Dispensaries throughout the Island are shut down due to the on going strike action of Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers according to hospitals sources.due to this a large number of patients in rural areas are not able to receive medicine and treatment the sources said.

The Registered And Assistant Medical Officers attached to these institutions have launched an island wide continuous strike action today demanding communication allowance for registered medical officers.meanwhile a discussion is due to be held tomorrow(26) at Health Ministry between Registered And Assistant Medical Officers Association and Health Authorities over the demand of medical officers.


PGIM Colombo To Stop Post Graduate Courses?

The Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake has instructed authorities of Post Graduate Institute  Of Medicine (PGIM),Colombo last week to stop conducting fresh post graduate courses for local MBBS Doctors with immediate effect .Due to this action there is a dearth of medical specialists in the country according to medical circles .

The Post Graduate Institute Of Medicine in Colombo is the only such institute in Sri Lanka conducting post graduate courses for MBBS Doctors .




Monday, September 24, 2012

Registered And Assistant Medical Officers To Launch A Continuous Strike Tomorrow(25)

The Government Registered and Assistant Medical Officers attached to government medical institutions and hospitals have decided to launch an island wide continuous strike from tomorrow (25) onwards demanding the communication allowance for registered medical officers according to society of government registered and assistant medical officers .

Around 1300 Registered and Assistant Medical Officers attached to 700 medical institutions mainly to the Base,District and Rural Hospitals as well as Central Dispensaries participating this strike the union has stated.

As government MBBS Doctors have been paid communication allowance there's no sign of paying that allowance for registered medical officers a spokesman of the society has added.registered and assistant medical officers are mostly working in hospitals and central dispensaries in rural areas.

Actress Turned National List MP Malini Fonseka Has Withdrawn Her Resignation

The veteran Sri Lankan film actress turned government parliamentarian Mrs. Malini Fonseka has resigned from her parliamentary seat this morning but later withdrawn her resignation  after president mahinda rajapaksha had declined to accept her resignation.

Mrs.Fonseka who is a National List MP of the government sent her resignation letter to president this morning but did not revealed the reasons behind  her decision.



Sunday, September 23, 2012

US Embassy To Close Early Today Due To Planned Muslim Protests

The United States Embassy in Colombo has announced that the embassy will  close for public from 9.30 a.m today (24) due to planned demonstrations by Muslims over the anti Islamic film produced by USA.There are planned demonstrations scheduled to be held in Colombo today around 10.30 a.m and therefore embassy appealed from US Citizens to avoid traveling to embassy during demonstrations and  stay away from areas where large crowds gather.

There were several demonstrations held in the city during last week over the anti Islamic film produced by USA and as a result police had closed the main road in front of  embassy as security measure.meanwhile Sri Lankan government has decided not to screen the said anti Islamic film in Sri Lanka.

Friday, September 21, 2012

Medical Administrators Requested An Inquiry On Fraudulent Tender Deal

The Medical Administrators Forum has made a written request  from the Health Ministry secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathiake to conduct an inquiry  on  Rs.8 million worth fraudulent tender deal of purchasing surgical gloves from an unregistered supplier . the forum has urged the health secretary to take a disciplinary action against those involved in this deal no matter what their status are.
As the said stock of gloves were in low quality as well it will be bad reputation for  health secretary and  all other medical  administrators if a higher officials of ministry were any way linking to this deal medical administrators forum has said.


Thursday, September 20, 2012

Water Tariffs To Be Increased From 01st Of October

The National Water Supplies And Drainage Board has decided to increase Tariffs on water consumption  by 5% to 20% with effect from   0tst of October.under the new increase of water tariffs 0-05 units of water consumption will be increased by  Rs.12,  06-10 units by  Rs. 16, 11-15 units by Rs. 20,16-20 units by Rs. 40 and 21-25 units by Rs. 58.










Wednesday, September 19, 2012

President Rajapaksha Has Left India

President Mahinda Rajapaksha has left India this evening for an official tour.he is due to attend the  foundation stone laying ceremony of International Buddhist University due to build in Sanchi in Madya Pradesh.

During the visit President is due to hold bi lateral talks with Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh , President Pranab Mukarjee and other higher officials of Indian Government.

Meanwhile DMK Leader M.Karunanidhi and MDMK Leader Vaiko were issued statements against president's visit.

Police Arrested Convener Of Inter University Students Federation

The Colombo Crimes Division  Police has arrested the convener of Inter University Students Federation Sanjeeva Bandara today for trying to hold a University Students Protest in front of Fort Railway Station by blocking the main road there.The police had earlier taken a court order from Fort Magistrate Court to prevent holding of any protest  blocking the main road .

Inter University Students Federation has organized a protest campaign in Fort Station this noon.

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament 2012 Began With a Sri Lankan Win

Twelve Nation T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament 2012 has begun this evening at  Suriyawewa International Cricket Stadium in Hambanthota(Southern Province) with a colorful opening ceremony.after the ceremony hosts Sri Lankans played the curtain raiser match with minnows Zimbabwe and Sri Lankans won the match by 82 runs .Sri Lankans scored 182/4 in their 20 overs while replying Zimbabwe Team has dismissed for 100 runs with 15 balls to spare.

A total number of 27 matches to be  played  under this world cup prior to the finals.The finals of the T20 World Cup Cricket Tournament will be held in 07th  of October at R.Premadasa International Cricket Stadium Colombo.

Briabry And Corruption Commission Has Begun Investigations On Rs.8 Million Fraudulent Surgical Gloves Deal

The bribery and corruption commission has begun investigations on Rs.8 million worth fraudulent  deal when purchasing surgical gloves to Sri Lankan government hospitals this year according to chairman of the commission Retired Supreme Court Judge Jagath Balapatabandi.

Investigations on this deal begun according to complaint lodged to the commission in this regard by 24 union Health Services Trade Union Federation (HSTUF). according to the complaint made by HSTUF
it states that the gloves imported through the above deal were low in quality and the supplier was not registered in Sri Lanka.

The Trade Union Federation has also requested from Auditor General  to conduct an inquiry on this matter.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

Container Imported From India Contaminated Radiation

A container load of stainless steal and aluminum products imported from India has been identified as exposed to radiation according to Atomic Energy Authority.Due to this distribution of above products had been halted with immediate effect and container is due to send back to India sources have revealed.


Friday, September 14, 2012

Health Officials Are Bribed By Some Drug Companies To Delay National Drug Policy

The implementation  of much awaited National Drug Policy getting delayed due to bribing of some higher health officials by certain drug companies according to Government Medical Administrators Forum.A higher official of Health Ministry was given Rs.5 million as bribe recently by certain drug companies to prevent implementing of the drug policy the forum has stated.

As a Drug Policy helps ordinary patients to purchase high quality drugs for reasonable prices authorities should have implement the policy without delaying it further a spokesman of the  medical administrator s forum  has stressed.


Thursday, September 13, 2012

Over 180 Unqualified Indian Doctors Working As Medical Consultants In Sri Lanka-GMOA

There are over 180 unqualified Indian Doctors working as Consultant Doctors  in several Private Hospitals in Colombo City 
 according to Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA).due to this situation the life of patients who are getting treatment from  these doctors are at risk assistant secretary of GMOA Dr.Nalin Ariyaratne has said.

GMOA  now prepares to go  courts against these unqualified Indian doctors behalf of patients he stressed.while addressing a press briefing held at GMOA Headquarters in Colombo this noon Dr.Ariyaratne has said that after GMOA has revealed on these Indian doctors the owners of private hospitals which are employed them now seeking court"s intervention to retained them in those hospitals."Some Hospital owners are even influencing Health Ministry through politicians to allow these doctors to practice" he pointed out.

Meanwhile Ministry Of Health has decided to   implement a mechanism for  check qualification of foreign doctors before recruiting them to private hospitals.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Health Services Trade Union Federation Requested Government To Arrest A Trade Union Leader

The 24 union Health Services Trade Union Federation(HSTUF) has requested government to arrest Health Trade Union Leader Saman Ratnapriya immediately on charges of trying to block GSP+ concession to Sri Lanka and made anti Sri Lankan statements by attending a Tamil Diaspora meeting held in Kerala State of India.

The president of the union federation Venerable Muruththettuwe Ananda Thero and joint secretary Harendra Kuruppu have stated that Ratnapriya who is the president of Health Services Trade Union Alliance and newly formed Alliance Against Corruption and Fraud had  attended a Tamil Diaspora Meeting held in Samudra Beach Hotel in Kerala,India on August 2008 and made anti sri lanakn statements by saying Sri Lanka has no democracy and there are human rights violations.This was a violation of 6th amendment of the Sri Lankan Constitution and we therefore  requested government to arrest him immediately "Venerable Muruththettuwe Thero stressed.

"Ratnapriya is not only violated sri lankan constitution but also trying to throw mud against honest officials like former director general of health services Dr.Ajith Mendis "he further added.



Sri Lanka Medical Council Removes Surgical Part From Doctors Duty?

Sri Lanka Medical Council has removed the surgical part from duties of MBBS(Bachelor Of  Medicine,Bachelor Of Surgery) Doctors through the Registration Certificate issued for them according to government doctors.Earlier when a MBBS Doctor has received the registration certificate from Sri Lanka Medical Council to practice here  it states that the medical practitioner  has lawfully qualified to practice medicine and surgery .but under the new registration certificate issued to MBBS Doctors it has stated that medical practitioner has  lawfully qualified to practice medicine only.

This decision to remove surgical part from duties of MBBS Doctors will affect the surgeries in hospitals as majority of surgeries performs in both government and private hospitals are handled by medical officers it self hospital sources said.Sri Lanka Medical Council has already amended the section 29  of Sri Lanka Medical Council Act to enable removing of the surgical part from doctors duty.

Due to this situation MBBS Doctors are now only able to perform surgeries under the supervision of medical consultants according to health sources.

Monday, September 10, 2012

Government Doctors Of Sabaragamuwa Province To Strike From 19th Of September

Government Hospital Doctors attached to Sabaragamuwa Province are to be launched a continuous  strike from 19th of this month (Wednesday) by demanding  Health Ministry to intervene and   implementing delayed transfers of 4 provincial health services directors the president of Government Medical Officers Association(GMOA) Dr.Anurudda Padeniya has said.the transfers of  provincial health directors attached to north central,Uva ,sabaragamuwa and central  provinces got delayed due to some court cases filed by two
of   the transferred provincial health directors he stressed.

If the health ministry has failed to look in to this matter by 19th of  September the strike will spread to uva,sabaragamuwa and central provinces as well dr,padeniya said.

The provincial health directors of central and sabaragamuwa provinces challenging their transfers in courts although they have overstayed in these positions and due to this legal action the transfers of other provincial health administrators too got stuck he further added.


Saturday, September 8, 2012

Voting Began In Three Provincial Council Elections

The voting to elect 108 members for the North Central,Eastern and Sabaragamuwa provincial councils are currently been progressed amidst few incidents.According to elections department sources the voting began 7 a.m this morning and will be concluded in 4 p.m this evening.the voters turnout reported as very low comparing to previously held provincial council elections.

Around 3073 candidates are contesting for the 108 seats in these three  provincial councils.

Friday, September 7, 2012

Patient Care Services In Provincial Hospitals Paralyzed Due To Delay Of Transfers

 The health services provided from provincial hospitals are  paralyzed due to  non implementing annual transfers of 6000 medical officers and 4 provincial health service directors according to government medical officers union (GMOA).If the authorities have not taken steps to intervene this matter and solving it withing next two weeks government doctors have  decided to launch a stern trade action GMOA sources said.

Due to laziness of some of the health officials ,these transfers are not implemented as yet sources added.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

Tamil Community In Colombo Protested In Front Of Indian Emabassy

A large number of people mainly Tamil Community work in Colombo fort area today (06) have marched towards the Indian Embassy in Colombo and hold a protest campaign there against attack on Sri Lankan Pilgrims at Tamil Nadu.The protestors also handed over a petition against attack on Sri Lankan Pilgrims to the Indian High Commissioner.

Meanwhile due to this protest most of the shops in fort area were closed and a huge traffic was created in Galle Road in Col petty Area.

Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Chinese National Arrested For Swallowing Rs.1.8 Million Diamond

A Chinese national who has swallowed Rs.1.8 million worth diamond exhibited in a gem exhibition in Colombo got arrested by police today(05).The suspect who was alleged as swallowed the diamond was now in police custody.

The suspect came to see the gem exhibition held at Banadaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall(BMICH) these days with a fellow Chinese national and he  suddenly swallowed the diamond exhibited there sources added.soon after witnessing his act a businessman there informed this to police officers which lead to his arrest sources added.National Gem and Jewellery Authority has organized this exhibition.

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Sri Lankan Group Of Pilgrims Was Attacked In Tamil Nadu-Nine Attackers Got Arrested

Seven buses carrying  pilgrims compromising 180 Sri Lankan nationals  to Trichy Air Port in Tamil Nadu State were  attacked this evening  by an activists belongs to a group called  Naam Tamizhar Iyakkam with pro-LTTE leanings.This is the second time that this group of pilgrims was attacked as the buses they traveled to Velankanni Christian Shrine near nagapattinam were blocked by   the same group yesterday (03).

Due to the harassment faced Sri Lankan pilgrims compromising 75 women and 36 children  were immediately taken to the Trichy Air Port by Sri Lankan embassy in Chennai today to send them back to Sri Lanka.However the said group stoned and attacked the seven buses and due to this Some Sri Lankans have received minor injuries according to reports.several buses got damaged during the incident and police arrested nine of the activists who attacked buses according to  Indian Media Reports.

Meanwhile Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry here has confirmed that no one in pilgrims hurt due to the said attack and they will arrive home safely.Ministry had earlier requested Sri Lankans who are visiting Tamil Nadu to be in alert over their safety as the chief minister of Tamil Nadu Jayalalitha Jayram as well as some racist groups in the state made some anti Sri Lankan statements during last few days.Jayalalitha has yesterday requested state officials to send two Sri Lankan school soccer teams visiting Tamil Nadu back to Sri Lanka.

  

Monday, September 3, 2012

Supreme Court Recommended Authorities To Enrolled Additional Students To Universities

The supreme court has today (03) recommended education authorities to enrolled 4928 additional students to universities as a solution for A/L Z score issue per proposed by university grants commission(UGC).UGC has proposed four solutions regarding  Z score issue to the supreme court and the court has selected above solution as suitable one.

Meanwhile a fundamental rights case filed by 33 A/Level students against injustice they have faced due to Z score was taken up before three member bench headed by chief justice Shirani Bandaranayake.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

74 Quality Failed Drugs And Surgicals Removed From Government Hospitals This Year

Around 74  drug and surgical items distributed among government hospitals island wide were removed after they were proven low in quality during last 08 months of this year it has been revealed.The removed list of low quality drug and surgical s includes Amoxacillin, lignocane hydrochloride gel.ultrasound transmission gel and anti venom serum  according to national drug authority sources.

Meanwhile president of professor senaka bibile memorial committee Dr.Jayantha Bandara has said that these low quality drugs still use in government hospitals although they have instructed to be removed from hospitals with immediate effect.  replying to this allegation of dr.bandara medical supplies division has said that they have instructed all government hospital directors and provincial health authorities to remove all those low quality drugs through a special circulars and it's their duty to act accordingly.

Most of those drugs and surgical s  have been instructed to remove during month of August.