Poor medical facilities in southern Mullaitivu

[TamilNet, Thursday, 08 January 1998, 23:59 GMT]
For people living in and around Kumulamunai in the remote jungles of southern Mullaithivu falling ill is a nightmare when it comes to finding someone who can treat them.

The area has dispensary which is open only on Mondays.

It cannot treat more than 100 patients on the day it is open.

The dispensary is run by the Manalaaru branch of the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society.

In 1997, 4221 patients were treated here. In December 1997 alone 541 patients were seen here; out of which 64 were suffering from Malaria, 24 cases were diarrhoea.

In case of emergencies patients have to be taken to the hospital in Puthukkudiyiruppu which is about 28 kilometers from Kumulamunai.

Bad roads and severe difficulties in civilian transport have made things worse for patients in Kumulamunai in need of emergency care.

Social service organisations here have appealed for a permanent medical officer to work in the dispensary.