Doctors appeal for more resources to contain viral outbreak

COLOMBO (News 1^st) - Doctors of the Karapitiya Hospital convened a media briefing today (May 26) to highlight the issues which have arisen in controlling an outbreak of viral flu in the Southern Province. According to the President of the GMOA Karapitiya Branch, Specialist Dr.Janath Liyanage, the cases are most severe among children under 2 years old. He stated that the Karapitiya Hospital is the only hospital in the entire province with a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit,  and that there are just two doctors with specialist training for this purpose for the entire Southern Province. He added that there are just seven beds in this Intensive Care Unit and in light of this situation, children whose conditions are critical are being treated at adult ICUs.Dr. Liyanage requested the government to treat this matter as a priority and provide the necessary equipment and resources as quickly as possible.