Eighty Six Complaints Have Been Received By The Hotlines Established To Make Public Complaints On Price Reduced Drugs

Eighty Six public complaints have been received by the Ministry Of Health,Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine from last Friday(04) to Sunday(05) after announcing two hotline numbers to make public complaints on pharmacies and institutes which are  not selling the 48 price reduced essential drug items for the reduced prices according to the Director General Of Health Services Dr.Palitha Mahipala.

Addressing a special media briefing held at his office in Ministry Of Health this morning Director General Of Health Services has stressed that the Health Ministry has introduced a new fax line too to make public complaints on errors when implementing the drug price control and the number is 0112-686113.Public can come to the Health Ministry at "Suwasiripaya" in Colombo -10 and make written complaints as well .

All the complaints can be made between 8 a.m to 8 p.m daily and the complainant's name and the telephone number too noted by the official at the hotline and they will be informed on the action taken regarding the complaint he has stated.

Most of the complaints received during three days from last Friday to Sunday were related to lack of knowledge of public regarding the price reduced drug list and there are complaints regarding not issuing price reduced drugs,Not reducing the prices of these drugs and created a drug shortage  To avoid this situation Ministry Of Health is due to paste a price chart of the newly price reduced drug list in Pharmacies and other institutes selling drugs Dr.Mahipala has stated.

Public can make complaints on reduced drug prices to the two hotlines 01113071073 and 0013092269 the Health Ministry has announced.

Public Services Commission Has Appointed A Health Services Committee To Avoid File Delays Of Health Ministry

The Public Services Commission has appointed a four member Health Services Committee with effect from 2016-11-01 to avoid delays of an important file deals  belonging to the Ministry Of Health,Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine and to conduct  file deals .

The Health Services Committee was appointed as per the request of Minister Of Health ,Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr.Rajitha Senaratne .W.M Bandusena has been appointed as the Chairman of the Committee and Mrs.H.AD.C Jayasekare appointed as Secretary .The other members of the  Committee are Dr.C.K Shanmugaraja and Ms.S.P Vellappili.

HEALTH TIP

Star Fruit

 Star fruit also known as Carambola, belongs to species Averrhoa Carambola. It is widely grown in Asia and is native to Philippines, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

This fruit when cut horizontally looks like a star and hence the name. Today it is cultivated in Latin America, Caribbean and some parts of the US.
In different countries, this fruit is savored in a different fashion. Star fruit is best eaten raw but can be consumed in the form of Jams, jellies, and juice.

 The star fruit has five lobes covered in an edible waxy yellow skin. The flavor of the yellow flesh is reminiscent of citrus fruit and varies from quite sour to mildly sweet, depending upon the variety. Some contain small dark seeds in the center.

Carambolas are now a fledgling commercial crop with most being grown in Florida. Prime harvesting season is from late summer to early winter, although some will bear fruit year-round in tropical moderate locations. Those with tinges of green on the lobes may be further ripened at room temperature.

Health Benefits of Star Fruit

- Star fruit may lower cholesterol levels and add bulk and moisture to feces.

- A decoration of leaves and roots (prepared separately or in combination) can help cure headaches, ringworm, and chickenpox.

- The fruit is known to cure hangovers and prickly heat. You can also use the pickled fruit for hangover just take one piece of the pickled fruit, steam in water and serve.

- The fruit has also been used to treat sore eyes.

- The star fruit is given to nursing mothers as it is commonly believed to stimulate the flow of milk.

Police Have Used Water Canons And Tear Gas To Disperse A Group Of Disabled Tri Force /Police Personal

Police have used water canons and tear gas to disperse a group of disabled tri force and police  personal who attempted to enter the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo Fort this noon after conducted several protest marches and a fast unto death campaign during last few days in Colombo demanding a pension scheme for disabled tri force and police personal who have retired less then 12 years of service.

The group accompanied by few Buddhist monks attempted to enter the Presidential Secretariat this noon by breaking the barricades there and Police had used water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protestors it has been reported.

Government has earlier announced that these disabled retired tri force and police personal will be paid an allowance with effect from next February.However later Government announced the requisite pension scheme for them will come into effect from February next year.

Meanwhile Police have closed the Lotus Roundabout in Colombo Fort this morning due to the protest of disabled tri force/police personal.

REMEMBERING LATE PANDITH AMARADEVA

"FRITILLARIES IN A COPPER VASE (1887) A FAMOUS ARTWORK OF YESTERYEAR DUTCH ARTIST VINCENT VAN GOGH (1853-1890)

Immigration Emigration Officials Arrested An Iranian National With A Fake Passport

The Immigration and Emigration officials have last morning (06) arrested an Iranian National with a fake passport in his possession at the Katunayake,Bandaranaike International Airport.

The suspected Iranian National was arrested after arrived at Katunayake Airport from Turkey.

During the questioning the suspect has revealed the authorities  that he had planned to migrate United Kingdom via Frankfurt,Germany.

The officials have found a french passport in possession of the suspect it has been reported.