“Military Professionals’ Contribution to National Vaccination Shouldn't be Condemned” - Head, NOCPCO

Head, National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva updating the NOCPCO Task Force members who assembled at the NOCPCO this afternoon (7) told that all Task Force decisions are taken for the best interests of the majority of the people and should not be construed as individual utterances as some elements try to project.

The NOCPCO Task Force mandated to implement conclusions reached during Presidential Task Force meetings this afternoon reviewed the status quo, existing provincial travel restrictions, conduct of the masses in public places, precautionary measures in effect, detection of new virus variants, new set of guidelines for foreign arrivals, ongoing vaccination process, Army, Navy and Air Force -managed Community Vaccination Centres and their operational aspects, etc.

"Whether TU strike actions are there or not, HE the President wanted the tri services to expedite and go ahead with the vaccination drive since all tri services also have professionally- qualified medical teams, including Specialists, Epidemiologists, Consultants, Medical Officers, Nurses, para medical staff and other assisting personnel."

"One should not belittle or ridicule their dedicated services, making baseless Media statements and discouraging remarks. We have undertaken the vaccination as a national endeavour and would continue to vaccinate the public as long as we are instructed to do so. Tri service medical men are also equally qualified in the profession as others in the civil sector. It does not mean that military medical men are under-qualified or not fit to perform this task on behalf of the Nation. We have ample commendations and accolades from the public on our vaccination arrangements and we do these services as a set of professionals, disciplined and committed to the cause," General Shavendra Silva emphatically remarked.

Referring to the arrival of expatriates and foreigners, instead of antigen tests, we encourage them to do PCR tests there and return here with documents. He also said that inter-provincial travel restrictions would continue as announced and explained the guidelines that have been spelt out in relation to vaccination for those wishing to go for overseas employment, sea farers, etc.

Director General of Health Services also commented on the global and local status referring to statistics. Vaccination is also to be prioritized for all adults, factory workers pregnant mothers, school teachers and non-academic staff on the directions of HE the President.

Dr Samitha Ginige, the newly-appointed Chief Epidemiologist also summarized developments with comprehensive and detailed information from the start of the 3rd wave that triggered in April and explained how it steadily increased during the latter part of April and early May. "We reached the peak in mid May. Within 5 days, we had over 3500 cases, some of which remained stagnant for weeks and weeks. We had a slow decline in numbers. Even though we found a few small scale clusters in Kilinochchi and Mullaittivu areas we managed to control it. We have done exceptionally well up to now. Things are very much under control up to now. Hospitalization of positive cases and 60% of PCRs are utilized for random tests. Among those random samples, few estate clusters were there from Pelmadulla, Kuruwita, Dikowita and Divithuwa - Galle areas but we controlled the situation. Further, he stated about the vaccination process and the present status with percentages and said the results in these attempts could be seen only around August this year.

Medical experts, specialists of the Epidemiology unit, Commissioner of the Colombo Municipal Council, GMOA representatives, and other members of the Task Force also expressed their views and contributed to the session.

Source: www.army.lk