Data plays a key role in controlling Covid-19 but the conduct of Colombo District top health authorities, especially the Director, Health Services is not satisfactory at all when it comes to updating and distributing data on time. This issue will be brought to the notice of the President and the Health Services Director General, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando said.
He told the media in Colombo yesterday that the GMOA had inquired about the delay in gathering, updating and distributing Covid-19 data of the Colombo district with the other health officials and all other decision makers who work hard to control the Covid-19 pandemic in Colombo. The GMOA called its members and inquired about the issue.
According to them, the Director, Health Services in the Colombo district is very inactive and slow. He is not providing the transport facilities for health staff to carry out essential and urgent duties. He does not provide the facilities for Medical Officers of Health in Colombo and does not coordinate properly.
The highest number of Covid-19 cases and deaths reported from the Colombo district, he said. Dr. Fernando said that decisions cannot be made on time and accurately without the latest updated and accurate data with all relevant information. Data on a Covid-19 positive patient should be included with age, sex, name, address, contact details and the name and age or name and sex is not adequate.
Data issues at the national level are now gradually improving with the steps taken by the new Director General of Health Services, Dr. Asela Gunawardana.
Some people and groups took the GMOA to task when the GMOA pointed out the direct connection with the Covid-19 and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) several months ago. But this scientific link is now clearly visible for the entire world with the Covid-19 deaths and complications, he said.
Today, Sri Lankans face this latest Covid-19 pandemic because of the people’s irresponsible behaviour disregarding health guidelines. Deaths cannot be prevented if people do not support the Covid-19 control program in the country. However, certain villagers have already set an excellent example by providing facilities in front of every house to wash hands, he added.