Mullaiththeevu wounded die due to lack of antibiotics

[TamilNet, Saturday, 04 April 2009, 13:40 GMT]
Regional Medical Services Divisions (RMSD) for Mullaiththeevu and Kilinochchi received only 5% of the total allocation of monthly needs of medical supplies for the first three months in 2009, a report from Mullaiththeevu health officials received via Vavuniyaa District Secretariat said. Blood transfusion bags have been depleted and at least one death occurs daily due to the inability for blood transfusion, the report added. Several badly wounded civilians die without antibiotic treatment, health officials document in the report released.

The report listed the names of 2771 civilians admitted to Puthumaththalan hospital. The injured include 163 under-5 years old, 205 between 6-10 years, 481 between 11-20, 579 between 21-30, 414 between 31-40, and 929 above 40 years old.

The report says malnutrition is extremely high with 69% of the 678 children randomly selected from the six areas where mobile health clinic was conducted are under weight, a 75% increase from similar study conducted last year which yielded a malnutrition of 42%.

Even amidst the disastrous ground situation the report commends the epidemiological unit for providing high coverage of immunization vaccination to children.

"About 75,000 families with more than 300,000 populations need food ration, the report says. 4950 metric tons food needed for a month but only 1080 metric tons food were received during March 2009. Additional Government Agent Mullaitivu with the help of WFP, food items were brought to Puthumathalan. Food items are distributed at 20 places. Still food shortage among IDPs is observed. Tamils Rehabilitation Organization is running places to provide kanchchi," the report says on the food supply to the IDPs.

Diarrhea is reported as a common problem among children with lack of vegetable and fruit intake aggravating the medical condition. Drinking water is being supplied in ten different locations, the report adds.