All health-related trade unions have pledged to co-operate fully and provide health services as needed to the flood victims.

The Ministry of Health stated that the pledge was made during a discussion led by the Minister of Health, Dr. Rajitha Senarathne. The discussion took place in the morning today (28), at the Ministry premises.

Representatives of all health-related trade unions, including the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), Government Nursing Officers’ Association and the Public Health Inspectors’ Union (PHIs’ Union) participated in said discussion, The Ministry of Health confirmed.

Editor of the GMOA, Dr. Nalin de Herath assured that the GMOA would offer their co-operation to carry out the programme implemented by the Ministry of Health to provide medical and health services to those affected by the prevailing extreme weather.

The discussion addressed the possibility of employing PHIs and Family Health Officers for sanitary service provision and prevention of spread of diseases. The gathering also discussed the possibility of directing PHIs and Family Health Officers of unaffected areas to provide health services to flood-ridden areas.

Managing Director-General of Health Services, Dr. Sarath Amunugama has announced that leave of all government servants had been cancelled owing to the ongoing crisis in the island. The Managing Director-General also instructed all health service officers unaffected by the floods to report to the nearest health service institution immediately.