Dysentery affected Eachilampathu without medical facilities

[TamilNet, Wednesday, 09 October 2002, 13:44 GMT]
More than ten thousand villagers in the Eachilampathu division in Mutur area face imminent danger due to the outbreak of dysentery following acute drought and the sudden closure of the reopened Eachilampathu government hospital after a lapse of twelve years.

The Eachilampathu hospital is now once again closed down as the Medical Officer appointed recently has been transferred out after serving two weeks leaving the people high and dry when the dysentery is spreading, sources said.

"People living in more than ten villages in the division are now forced to walk or travel by carts to Seruvila and Muttur hospitals several miles away from their areas to obtain treatment. Hence I request you to organize a mobile medical service immediately and rescue the poor villagers of Eachilampathu division," said Mr.S.Gunanayagam, a social activist in the area, in a letter to the Health Minister sent by fax Tuesday.

"Ninety percent of the people of more than ten villages in the Eachilampathu division are living below the poverty line. Most of wells have gone dry due to severe drought now being experienced in the area. People are forced to collect muddy water for drinking purposes. This has led to the outbreak of dysentery in the division," the letter states.

Eachilampathu is one the eleven divisional secretary divisions in the Trincomalee district.