M.O.ON LEAVE: NO ACTING DOCTOR : HOSPITAL CLOSED
Patients travel to Puttalam Hospital 25kms away
The Mampoori Government Hospital in Kalpitiya division has been closed for about one week much to the inconvenience of the residents of the area. Thousands of patients who seek treatment at the hospital OPD and clinics have been calling over at the hospital every morning since August 28 and returning in disappointment when they find the hospital closed.
A ruling party member of the Kalpitiya Pradeshiya Sabha and an office bearer of the hospital development committee Cyril
The Mampoori Government Hospital in Kalpitiya division has been closed for about one week. Thousands of patients who seek treatment at the hospital OPD and clinics have been calling over at the hospital every morning since August 28 and returning in disappointment
Alexander said the medical officer-in-charge of the hospital had gone on leave without making arrangement for a doctor to act in his place and that it resulted in the closure of the hospital. At present the hospital is manned by a hospital labourer. He said that more than 150 patients a day sought treatment at the OPD alone.
Residents of the area pointed out that the hospital comprising an OPD, two maternity wards with a labour room, a dental clinic, post-natal and childcare clinics were the only medical facilities available for a population of about 30,000 people.
President of the Mampoori Hospital Development Committee Parish Priest Fr. Sampath Ferdinandez who expressed concern about the closure of the hospital without prior notice said that people have to make a long journey of about 25 kilometres to the Puttalam Hospital for treatment even for a minor ailment. He pointed out that a trishaw charged about Rs.1000 and a van Rs.2500 to transport a patient to Puttalam Hospital and that in case of an urgent illness the patient would be at great risk owing to the long delay in obtaining medical attention.
All our attempts to contact Deputy Director of Health Dr. Ranjith Paul failed but one of the senior officials of the Provincial Health Ministry said the hospital was short of a medical officer and two nurses. However he refused to comment about the closure of the hospital.