Lions club joins in Trinco cleanup

[TamilNet, Sunday, 14 November 2004, 20:37 GMT]
"Mosquitoes spreading dengue fever are found all parts of Trincomalee town and its suburbs. About 31 positive cases have been detected and one died following the second outbreak of the epidemic in east port town since October this year. In the first outbreak in March this year one died," said Regional Epidemiologist Dr.T.Thavakodirajah. The Trinco Urban Council has solicited the help of Lions Club and volunteers to remove uncollected solid waste in Trincomalee, civil sources said.

Garbage being removed from side streets

Trincomalee Urban Council administered by a Special Commissioner, does not have appropriate vehicles nor resources to remove solid waste, sources said.

Health authorities held several conferences with the Chief Secretary and Government Agent and other related government agencies regarding the removal of solid waste without success as no government authorities are prepared to lend vehicles or provide necessary finance to the local authority to buy vehicles, sources said.

Health authorities have divided Trincomalee town and its suburbs into four divisions and entrusted each division to Lions Clubs in Trincomalee to launch shramadana projects to remove solid waste garbage. Four Lions Clubs are functioning in the east port town.

UC labourers on their for cleaning up

Last week Lions Club of Trincomalee town and New Century Lions Club conducted a cleaning campaign by deploying hired tractors with trailers. But their services were limited to some areas in the town, sources said.

Town is seen with solid waste in every road and lane breeding mosquitoes, health sources said.

Following representation by the regional health authorities to the central ministry of health its Epidemiologist Dr.M.R.N.Abeyasinghe wrote to the North East Provincial Governor that the collection and removal of garbage in Trincomalee town has number of logistical constraints, which may impede control of dengue fever in the area.

"The regional and divisional health authorities have been alerted about the current situation and are doing their utmost to curtail epidemic in the area. However solid waste disposal system needs further strengthening in order to prevent mosquitoes breeding in water holding containers found in garbage dumps," said Dr.Abeyasinghe in a letter to the Governor.

One of four garbage removers owned by Trinco UC

Officials of Lions Club of Trincomalee seen before Shramadana cleaning campaign deploying vehicles including from SLA

"Please provide necessary advice to local authorities in the Trincomalee district to regularize their solid waste disposal activities," Provincial Governor was told by Mr.Dr.Abeyasinghe.

In the meantime, medical authorities have decided not to send dengue patients from Trincomalee to outstation hospitals in Colombo and other areas in the south for treatment as earlier because transportation could cause more harm to them. Authorities have now made necessary arrangement to treat them in the Trincomalee general hospital, sources said.