News briefs from Jaffna

[TamilNet, Thursday, 18 June 1998, 23:59 GMT]
The incidence of Malaria is increasing in Chavakchcheri and the Jaffna Teaching Hospital has requested a 3 month supply of medicine from the Health Ministry, said health officials in Jaffna. Storage and transport difficulties causes food spoilage and private Diploma holders fail University exam.

Malaria on increase

Statistics released by the Chavakchcheri Hospital in the Thenmaradchi sector of the Jaffna Peninsula show that in the first five months of this year 4864 patients were treated for Malaria, of whom 512 had cerebral malaria.

A large number of malaria cases have been reported in the villages of Manthuvil, Mirusuvil and Thavasik Kulam, in Chavakchcheri, said hospital sources.

Following the increase the anti-Malaria campaign in the area has been intensified, the sources added.

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Hospital to receive medicine

The Health Ministry has made arrangements to send more medicine to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital following a request made by the hospital, said ministry officials yesterday.

The request was made to the Additional Secretary for the Ministry of Health, Mrs. K. Fernando during her visit to Jaffna recently.

Hospital officials had told the additional Secretary that a 3 month stock of medicine was needed.

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All failed

None of the 35 candidates who appeared for the exam in English Short -Hand-writing conducted by Jaffna University, passed the exam, said university sources.

All the candidates had attended various relevant courses conducted by private institutions and passed exams conducted at these institutions.

The exam results show the poor standard of the syllabus in private institutions, said one university lecturer.

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Security clearance for fresh-food

Large quantities of fresh food produced in Jaffna, intended for sale in other parts of the island, are being spoiled due to the unavailability of scanning instruments needed to conduct security checks, said local government officials on the peninsula.

There are also no facilities to store fresh produce such as fruits and sea food for long periods of time, the officials said.

Though they have brought this matter to the notice of senior officials in Colombo nothing has been done so far, they added.