Special Meeting at NOCPCO Office Takes up Pressing Issues

A special discussion that took up a range of issues and concerns, related to ongoing COVID-19 prevention mechanism got underway this morning (24) at the NOCPCO office at Rajagiriya presided by General Shavendra Silva, Head of the NOCPCO, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army at the Army HQ where Major General Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Secretary to Health Ministry, Dr Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, Dr Ananda Wijayawickrama, Consultant Physician National Institute Of Infectious Diseases (IDH), Prof. Manuj Weerasinghe, Faculty of Medicine at University of Colombo, Brigadier Chandana Arangalla, Brigadier Coordinator at NOCPCO and Colonel Savin Semage, Director Army Preventive Medicine were also present.

Head, NOCPCO during the interaction drew attention on possibilities of equipping MOHs and PHIs with communicative facilities, if they lack so with direction intervention of the Health Ministry, enabling them to swiftly communicate with relevant sections including the NOCPCO since MOHs and PHIs are also overburdened with many roles at ground level. Absence of such quick modes of IT facilities and mobile phones at ground level causes inordinate delays in conveying exact and correct details from relevant authorities at MOH and PHI levels, General Shavendra Silva pointed out.

While underlining the need to equip them with such technical support, delays in transmitting updated information could hamper relay of information without undue delay, it was pointed out. Similarly, Lack of communication networks among Medical Officers, Health officials, MOH offices and PHIs, Delays in transmission of exact details of deaths due to a variety of reasons, such as infection of the whole family, legal aspects, etc, Conduct of new PCR tests and PCR tests on positive patients, Supply of requirements for PHIs and absence of proper exchange of accurate information with the NOCPCO, etc were also evaluated and rectified during this meet.

Participants assured General Shavendra Silva that all his concerns would be seriously addressed and rectified as early as possible while improving the existing infrastructure and communication channels. They also deeply reviewed the status quo, imposition of restrictions, increase of positive cases, challenges ahead, future guidelines, etc.

Source: www.army.lk