Dengue prevention not our duty: Maithripala

31 January 2012 04:58 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 17 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena said that dengue prevention does not necessarily fall within the ambit of the Health ministry.

“The prevention of dengue is not within the scope of duties of the Health Ministry, in countries like Singapore dengue prevention is within the purview of the Ministry of Environment, the prevention of dengue extends the duties of the Ministry of health,” he said.

The Minister made these observations at a meeting of The Presidential Task Force on Dengue Control held today at the Presidential Secretariat.
Minister of Youth Affairs Dallas Allahapperuma, Secretary to the President Lalith Weerathunga, the Mayor of Colombo A.J.M Muzammil together with secretaries of 12 ministries participated in the event.

During the presentations, the secretary to the ministry of Provincial Councils Dr. Nihal Jayasinghe said that the Ministry of Provincial Councils have initiated a programme, 'Pura Naguma' to resuscitate 108 local government bodies that the ministry has found to have been lagging behind in waste management. The technical support should be spearheaded by the ministry of Health with the support of all other ministries,” he said. (Hafeel Farisz)

Comments - 17

Calistus Jayatilleke Wednesday, 01 February 2012 06:52 AM

Reminds me of an interesting story about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody. There was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it. Somebody got upset about that, because it was Everybody’s job. Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it. It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when Nobody did what Anybody could have.

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Gunawardena Wednesday, 01 February 2012 02:39 PM

Can people stop complaining, and see the good things that are in the country now!!!

2 0

Saman Wednesday, 01 February 2012 01:03 PM

Dengu is a diseases ! Agreed its spread from Mosquitos . Now the problem here is not Mosquitos but the disease ! Does he understand that ?

0 0

Andf Wednesday, 01 February 2012 09:49 AM

This again proves their inablity to address the issue. I ask myself, Is this man a minister of health at all ? Even if it is not the duty of the ministry, GOVT SL is there to take every action again any kind of endemic health threats.

In a country where most of the country s population is in poverty, govt should take every action to control dengue.

Lankens and their social indicators are not comparable to those of most developed countries. But ours could be compared to those of malaysia to some extent.. considering the fact the population, literay rates, as dengue affected.. etc.

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Ahamed Wednesday, 01 February 2012 09:42 AM

Well said. You are correct. The real culprits are the local bodies.

1 2

Pboy Wednesday, 01 February 2012 08:53 AM

Sir, then what are you for?

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jamaldeen Wednesday, 01 February 2012 08:48 AM

If the prevention is not the Health Ministry's job,then who will
take care of the sick.

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Coco-in-the-bag Wednesday, 01 February 2012 08:11 AM

I think the minister is right. It is the responsibility of the mosquitoes.

2 8

fazli Wednesday, 01 February 2012 07:47 AM

Oh really... Given the size of the issue I thought its
a joint affort where health ministry plays a pivotal roll. Oh we sri lankans

1 3

Just Another Citizen Wednesday, 01 February 2012 03:11 AM

Trying to compare our systems to one like Singapore is a joke. And neither the Ministry of Health & the Ministry of Environment don't a good job anyway. They turn a blind eye towards so many other issues. So it doesn't make much of a difference.

2 13

RSVP Wednesday, 01 February 2012 06:35 AM

Comparing Singapore to Sri Lanka is like comparing apples to wood apples... Shall we then compare the Singapore Ministers To Sri Lankan Ministers as well like qualification, performance, accountability, corruption ??????? ... joker .. literally!

1 6

usj1976 Wednesday, 01 February 2012 06:26 AM

I think he should stay in Singapore since he is following Singapore Law
I believe this is the fate of Sri Lanka people no responsibility and accountability lying on politicians
Passing the ball to each others, may be the country ….. can answer this

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Leslie Wednesday, 01 February 2012 05:30 AM

When you fail to get the job done, it is an easy way out to say that it is not your duty.

2 7

Lal Wednesday, 01 February 2012 05:25 AM

Health Ministry can not simply evade its responsibility for dengue prevention by saying that such action does not fall within its ambit. The ministry should be instrumental in launching an effective and well coordinated programme to eradicate dengue in consultation with the other ministries and institutes.

1 3

Prof Hemantha Wednesday, 01 February 2012 04:24 AM

Come on Mr Minister, be careful of what you say!

1 4

citizen1 Wednesday, 01 February 2012 04:09 AM

Then whoose responsibility is it?

2 5

citizen1 Wednesday, 01 February 2012 03:57 AM

Passing the buck?

2 6

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