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Lanka`s war-ravaged Wanni hospitals face medical shortage
Thursday, 17 April 2008 - 8:09 PM SL Time
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Ringing alarm bells, the International Red Cross said Thursday that hospitals in Sri Lanka`s war-ravaged northern Wanni region are facing severe shortage of medical staff and medicines including normal pain killers, despite increasing war casualties.
`The lack of regular deliveries of supplies from the country`s health ministry has resulted in clinics and hospitals in the Wanni region running out of basic medicines such as paracetamol, antibiotics and vaccines,` the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said in a statement.
The Wanni region comprises four northern districts of Sri Lanka - Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu. Among these, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu are under full control of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) while parts of the other two have been under their control for well over two decades.
`The limited number of staff available to care for routine cases alongside war casualties has become a critical issue for several hospitals in northern Sri Lanka,` the ICRC said.
`Under international humanitarian law applicable in armed-conflict situations, people not involved in fighting, including the wounded and sick, whether they be civilians or fighters, must be given any medical care they may require as quickly as possible,` the ICRC highlighted in its statement.
The latest medical crisis has arisen despite the fact that the ICRC, by agreement with Sri Lanka`s health ministry, has been providing hospitals in Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts with medical equipment and supplies for the treatment of sick and war-wounded people.
The ICRC statement has come at a time when the advancing government troops and the LTTE are locked in fierce combat for months in the Wanni and northwestern Mannar districts.
There was no immediate reaction from the government in this regard.
Scores of combatants have been killed and several thousands wounded during these clashes, with the government vowing to capture areas under the control of the LTTE.
Pointing out that the residents in the government-held northern Jaffna peninsula are unable to obtain certain healthcare services, the ICRC said that it airlifts patients between Jaffna and Colombo twice a week `to ensure that appropriate levels of health care are nevertheless available to them`.
The ICRC staff is present six days a week at the Omanthai entry/exit point in Vavuniya to facilitate smooth passage of vehicles and civilians between areas controlled by the government and the LTTE.
It also helps the warring parties by facilitating the transfer of bodies of the combatants killed during clashes.
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Berty
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 17 Apr 2008 13:13:24 GMT Report for Abuse
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'Under international humanitarian law applicable in armed-conflict situations, people not involved in fighting, including the wounded and sick, whether they be civilians or fighters, must be given any medical care they may require as quickly as possible,' the ICRC highlighted in its statement.
There is 'NO'humanitarian need as far as the thugs at the top are concerned..Everyone is a Terrorist in the War situation!
Edited By - Berty - 17 Apr 2008 13:15:41 GMT |
parakumB
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 17 Apr 2008 13:15:20 GMT Report for Abuse
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Why don't they smuggle the supplies from Tamilnadu?
Don't tamilans support tamilans? Key board tigers from LNP
can go volunteer at wanni hospitals, or we will send dr. Marvin to tend to the sick there.
Edited By - parakumB - 17 Apr 2008 13:21:10 GMT |
pharoah
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 17 Apr 2008 13:15:48 GMT Report for Abuse
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| During CFA lot of Doctors from West went to Vanni and other areas and helped out and medical supplies were entering. now situation is very bad. |
Berty
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17 Apr 2008 13:16:24 GMT Report for Abuse
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Parakum
Tamilains will support Tamilians..then why complain..
Let them Help.. |
Berty
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17 Apr 2008 13:18:07 GMT Report for Abuse
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There was no immediate reaction from the government in this regard.
yeah..cos The people who are suffering are Tamils..so why should they react at once..
or..May be they are taking Stocks in Colombo..
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Berty
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17 Apr 2008 13:19:24 GMT Report for Abuse
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The President of the Tamil United Liberation Front (TULF) V. Anandasangaree, says he is perturbed over midnight air strikes in the Wanni saying it causes him grave anxiety and concern and has written to President Mahinda Rajapakse urging him to address the issue. |
srimal111
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17 Apr 2008 13:19:50 GMT Report for Abuse
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Its the responsibility of GOSL to provide medical facilities to Vanni. If not GOSL should at least allow an international organization to run the Vanni hospital.
Tackling terrorism is one thing but humanity is something else !
All sri lankans should ask government not to ignore the people under LTTE control. |
Berty
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17 Apr 2008 13:22:38 GMT Report for Abuse
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Pointing out that the residents in the government-held northern Jaffna peninsula are unable to obtain certain healthcare services, the ICRC said that it airlifts patients between Jaffna and Colombo twice a week to ensure that appropriate levels of health care are nevertheless available to them .
Is Jaffna under LTTE too?
People who went on a Visit and wrote beautiful articles about Jaffna enjoying New year must be licking their own wounds..
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Berty
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17 Apr 2008 13:24:17 GMT Report for Abuse
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Srimal Malli
Tackling terrorism is one thing but humanity is something else !
Well said..these are two separate issues and the Gosl should deal with it..
ru taking some time off from studies..I see you more often in the forum lolz |
pharoah
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17 Apr 2008 13:24:51 GMT Report for Abuse
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| Another problem is too many Doctors and nurses from the Northeast are leaving and going to other areas or migrating. Even in GOSL controlled areas in the Northeast there is a lack of doctors |
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