Army ready to set up more centres – Shavendra
The Army is ready to set up more COVID-19 treatment centres as required, if the number of patients increase in future due to the prevailing pandemic situation, said Army Commander, General Shavendra Silva.
He also said the Army is ready to provide even 10,000 beds to hospitals if needed.
He said, matters pertaining to places where the infected would be treated was discussed at length on 27 April. He also said the President instructed to take necessary steps to facilitate the treatment of all infected people.
“We discussed the increase in the numbers of ICU beds and other beds and what are the hospitals that would be used for the purpose. We have already discussed with health professionals how to care for patients,” General Silva said.
In addition, the Army and the Tri-forces have well trained and experienced medical units. We are ready to deploy trained officers in any emergency for this purpose. In this situation, the Armed Forces are ready to do everything possible to protect the people, he added.
Speaking further, he said “We kindly request people to pay attention only to the information issued by the official institutions. Because at the moment, various groups are spreading false information to win back their personal agendas,”
The Army Commander also said, he would personally obtain information from the Director General of Health Services about the oxygen requirements in hospitals once every 12 hours. Oxygen suppliers in the country tell us that there are enough oxygen reserves at present, he noted.
“We do not know which area will be isolated in the current situation. It depends on the number of patients and associates identified. So, it is very important that we be prepared for any emergency. I would say it is always important to keep a pack of items, as many as you need for a few days, General Silva further said.
(Source: Ceylon Today)
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The locations of the extra 10,000 Intensive Care Unit beds should be in the public domain. At present there are probably around 400 such beds where oxygen, various monitors and other fixtures are available as standard. Advise about possible lockdowns of severely affected areas and to stock basic commodities can have two outcomes. One is a rush to shops and hoarding of items. The other is traders pretending stock shortages nd increasing prices. Both can have adverse consequences for bona-fide consumers. Transparency is critically important; not just expressions to that effect. Vaccination in the outstations is not yet operational. Only Colombo has had some form of community vaccination program. That would seem unfair, given that there are significant numbers of vulnerable people in all major towns.
How can they be in the public domain?
The ICU Units are GOSL assets and should be protected from terrorist threats.
It is easy to install 10,000 beds under Army tarpaulins.
Where are the health professionals coming from?
Where is the equipment coming from?