Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Sri Lankans Swallowing 45-50 million Paracetamol Tablets Per Month

A study has found that Sri Lankans are swallowing 45-50 million Paracetamol Tablets per month according to the  secretary to the Health Ministry Dr.Ravindra Ruberu.Due to the large amount of Paracetamol swallowed by Sri Lankans several cases of poisoning  paracetamol have also been reported  as a result of taking overdose Dr.Ruberu has said.


Due to this situation the Ministry Of Health has instructed all government hospital directors to examined the exact amount of paracetamol tablets need per patient in government hospitals and issued the tablets accordingly he stressed.


Tuesday, March 13, 2012

3 Out Of 13 Infant Deaths At Mahamodara Teaching Hospital PBU Due To Bacterial Infection

Premature baby girl in neonatal unitThe inquiry  report issued on 13 infant deaths reported from the premature baby unit(PBU) of one of the leading government hospitals in southern province the Mahamodara Teaching Hospital has stated that only 3 infant deaths out of 13 deaths occurred due to Bacterial infection and other 10 infants died due to natural causes of their illnesses.

Addressing the media on the report findings today (13th) at health education bureau this morning the health ministry secretary Dr.Ravindra Ruberu has said that the specialists who conducted the inquiry stated in their  report that the deaths of 6 infants caused by  critical condition they were in.However the health secretary has failed to revealed what caused the spreading of bacteria in the PBU of Mahamodara Teaching Hospital and the state of the unit at present.However he stressed that the bacterial infection of this kind can be occurred in any PBU in the world and it's not an extraordinary thing to happen.



The PBU of Mahamodara Teaching Hospital was closed on 09th of March following the deaths of 13 infant deaths reported during last two months suspected as may have due to a bacterial infection.The Ministry of Health was appointed a group of specialists to investigate on the incident and the group concluded the inquiry and handed over their report to director general of health services dr.ajith mendis yesterday (12th).

PSM Strike Paralyzed Government Hospital Services

Due to the Continuous Island Wide strike launched by Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM) attached to Government Hospitals today (13) the functioning of Outdoor Patients Department (OPD) Pharmacies,Path Labs,X Ray/C.T Scan Units and Physiotherapy Units were paralyzed and hundreds and thousands of patients faced severe hardships according to  hospital sources.

Due to the closure of above units runs by Professions Supplementary To Medicine compromising Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT'S),Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists the distribution of Medicine ,performing of blood,urine samples and x ray/c.t scan tests were halted and only emergency services at Intensive Care Units (ICU'S) are functioning normally the sources said.

PSM'S are on strike demanding solutions for 10 of their service demands including increasing of their allowances and giving delayed promotions for their senior service personal,A discussion held between the members of Joint Council of Professions Supplementary To Medicine and  Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Ravindra Ruberu held yesterday regarding these demands was failed completely according to the union.



Sunday, March 11, 2012

Government Hospital PSM'S To Launch Island Wide Continuous Strike Tomorrow (13)

The Professions Supplementary To Medicine (PSM) attached to Government Hospitals have decided to launch an Island Wide Continuous Strike from tomorrow (13th) demanding acceptable solutions for their 10 service demands.According to General Secretary of Joint Council Of Professions Supplementary To Medicine Mr.Saman Jayasekera they hold around 7 discussions with Government Officials during last few months but failed to received any favorable response on their demands.

Around 5000 Professions Supplementary To Medicine Officers compromising Government Pharmacists,Radiographers,Medical Laboratory Technicians(MLT's), Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists are due to join this strike which commenced at 8 a.m on Tuesday morning while the PSM's attached to  Lady Ridgway Children's,Castle Street Women's ,De Soyza Maternity and ,Maharagama Cancer Hospitals are refrain from strike due to humanitarian reasons he stressed.

Saturday, March 10, 2012

GMOA To Take Trade Union Action Against Not Increasing DAT Allowance

The Central Committee of  Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA)has  scheduled to meet tomorrow(11) noon to decide their  future trade union action against not increasing the Government Doctor's Disturbance and Transport Allowance (DAT)by Rs.14,000.The GMOA wants to increase Doctors Disturbance And Transport Allowance to Rs.29,000 from current position Rs.15,000.


Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Cooperatives Minister Wants Price Control For Infant Milk Powder While Milk Powder Companies Halted Their Milk Food Supply For Next Month

The Minister Of Cooperatives and Internal Trade Johnston Fernando had instructed the Consumer Affairs Authority Chairman to bring a Price Control Mechanism for Infant Milk Powder at earliest.

Meanwhile Milk Food Companies have stated that they have temporarily canceled the orders on importing Milk Powder to the country for next month as government failed to response their request positively on price revision of Milk Powders.The Companies said that the Milk Food Stocks they have now will be sufficient only for this month.

Due to the rising prices of Milk Powder in International Market as well as due to depreciation of sri lankan rupee there are no other option than increasing the price of imported milk powder the Milk Powder Companies said.They also said that the Companies bears Rs.37 loss per a kilo gramme of Milk Powder due to not revising the Milk Powder prices.



Popular Singer Chandrakumar Kandanaarachchi Passed Away

 Popular Local Singer  Chadrakumar Kandanaarachchi who sung  many popula hit love songs in 70's and  80's had passed away today (26)...