The Health Ministry has established a special coordinating unit headed by Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage to provide prompt medical and health services for the flood victims.
The Health Ministry spokesman said Dr. Sarath Amnugama has been appointed to coordinate the Matara district while Dr. Lakshmi Somathunga has been appointed for the Galle district. Dr. Sunil De Alwis has been appointed for the Ratnapura district. Dr. Amal Harsha De Silva has been appointed for the Kalutara district. Dr. Hemantha Herath has been appointed for Colombo, Gampaha, Kegalle and Hambantota districts.
The Health Ministry has provided Rs 8 million for Provincial Health Services Directors to carry out health services for the benefit of flood victims. Each flood affected district had been given 10,000 Doxycycline tablets to prevent rat fever (Leptospirosis). Each flood affected district has been provided 50,000 tablets of chlorine to clean wells, he said.
The WHO has provided US$ 175,000 while the UNICEF has provided one million tablets of chlorine. Health services, drugs and counselling will also be provided for flood victims.