Sri Lanka achieves Hepatitis B control
Sri Lanka and Maldives have achieved hepatitis B control, the World Health Organization announced today after an expert panel verified that the two countries have had consistently high coverage of hepatitis B vaccine doses in infants and a low prevalence of the deadly disease, corroborated through serological surveys conducted recently in both countries.
“I congratulate and commend Maldives and Sri Lanka on their achievement which once again demonstrates the earnest efforts being made by the health leaders and officials, health workers and the people of these countries towards health and well-being of communities,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.
The Expert Panel for Verification of Hepatitis B Control in WHO South-East Asia Region reviewed childhood immunization data from Maldives and Sri Lanka that showed consistent over 90% coverage with Hepatitis B vaccine doses provided during infancy for past many years. The experts also reviewed the findings of national surveys conducted among children in 2022-2023, in these countries.
“Based on the evidence presented to it, the Expert Panel concluded that the standards required for verification of Hepatitis B control have been met in both these countries and hence recommended that this important public health target has been achieved in Maldives and Sri Lanka”, said Dr Supamit Chunsuttiwat, chairperson of the Regional Expert Panel for verification of Hepatitis B control in South-East Asia.
The two countries join Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Thailand, who achieved the same feat in 2019.
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Former President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today (17) that the increase in VAT is difficult for himself as well as for the people.
He made these comments while speaking to the media after attending the opening of the Kalutara Cooperative Building.
He added that he had even told the President of the difficulties faced by the public during the party leaders’ meeting.
Speaking on the upcoming elections, Mr. Rajapaksa said that the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna is capable of facing them successfully and a presidential candidate who is capable of winning will be fielded at the upcoming presidential election. He added that the UNP has always been just ‘all talk and no action.’
He said that the current president will be informed about the difficulties of the people in the party leaders’ meeting. “The Podujana Peramuna can face the upcoming elections well. There is no problem with the challenges. A candidate who can win will be presented in the presidential election. It will not work if the United National Party always brags.”
The Colombo Chief Magistrate had ordered to fine 09 Director Board members of Perera and Sons Rs. 180,000 each.
They had pleaded guilty over a case filed with regard to Lamprais unfit for consumption being sold at one of their outlets.
The Gothatuwa PHI office had handed over Lamprais samples from the popular food chain to the Medical Research Institute in Borella and test results had confirmed the samples were contaminated with bacteria.
Accordingly, the Gothatuwa PHI office had filed a case against the company and 09 Director Board members.
Former Deputy Director of Health Services Dr. Herath Kumara and six others attached to the Medical Supplies Division at the Health Ministry, have been further remanded till January 24.
They have been arrested over the Human Immunoglobulin scandal.
