ISMATHUL RAHMAN
NEGOMBO : The Negombo Base Hospital which functions without a permanent director, has recorded large percentage of patients afflicted with Covid virus.
The ward, which is set up exclusively for corona patients, is overflowing with corona infections.
The suspected Covid patients suspected are being admitted to special units located in other wards, medical sources said. This condition poses a threat to other patients receiving treatment in the general wards.
Those identified as patients are mainly from Seeduwa, Katunayake, Andiyambalama and Katana in the Negombo district. Some of the patients include workers from Free Trade Zone in Katunayake,
Colombo Times learned that the hospital authorities are unable to dispose the dead bodies within 24 hours since the report of PCR examination of the deceased is delaye two to three days. There is no separate place in the morgue to keep the Covid suspected remains.
The hospital caters to the patients from the Katunayake International Airport, Investment Promotion Zone,Tourist Hotels, Fishing Harbour, Government offices and International Schools.
The hospital has been brought under the control of the Central Government. The Hospital Development Board Chairman Krishantha Dalpathado has written to the President requesting him to appoint a permanent director to the hospital and to provide all the necessary equipment and personnel for the cardiology unit, which has been started with the financial assistance of the philanthropists.
In response to the letter, Dalpathodo said that the Secretary to the President had sent a letter to the Minister of Health asking him to take necessary action on the letter, but so far no action had been taken.
Some 13 directors have served the Negombo Hospital since 2016. No permanent directors have been appointed to-date.
