23,000 cancer patients diagnosed in Sri Lanka annually; one-third of them preventable

Dr. Janaki Vidanapathirana, Acting Director, National Cancer Control Programme points out that around 23,000 people are diagnosed with cancer every year in Sri Lanka. "I am requesting the media, who hold immense power, curate content that will decrease the taboo, encourage early detection and drive people to access services to help save lives,” she asked recently at a ceremony held to launch a web platform for awareness on cancer prevention called Aayu.plus

Issuing a press release to mark the launch of the web platform, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) said, "It is estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) that one-third of cancers can be prevented through healthy lifestyle choices. Yet cervical and breast cancer are a global public health issue that is currently claiming millions of innocent lives, with more than two-thirds of these cases occurring in the developing countries where the health sector lacks the capacity and infrastructure to combat the threat effectively. Breast cancer and cervical cancer are the most common types of cancer among women in Sri Lanka."

Owing to the tremendous impact of modifiable factors on cancer risk, it has been estimated that at least one-third of all cancers are preventable, the Aayu platform says. Cancer prevention is characterized as a reduction in cancer mortality by reducing the occurrence of cancer. This includes reducing exposure to modifiable risk factors, along with population-based screening, to enable early detection of pre-cancer lesions.

Following factors have been identified in Sri Lanka as modifiable risk factors for cancers. 

• Tobacco use
• Physical inactivity
• Overweight and Obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Unhealthy diet
• Unprotected sex for certain types of cancers
• Chewing of arecanut

Sri Lanka in a PCR crisis; Lateral Flow Antigen Test proposed

Sri Lanka's Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) Editor Haritha Aluthge said that there are around 20,000 PCR samples in the laboratories.

As a result of the situation, the reports are delayed up to one week and during that period, some of the infected persons associate many others.

Meanwhile, a PCR machine in Colombo East Base Hospital in Mulleriyawa hospital broke down and a Chinese technician was brought to Sri Lanka to repair it. The technician had PCR tests before leaving China, after arriving in Sri Lanka and works under strict quarantine regulations wearing protective equipment. 

The laboratory of Colombo East hospital was declared open in June 2020 with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank. The new lab had a capacity of performing 500 tests for 12 hours.

Dr. Mahen Kotalawala, Clinical Microbiologist and Infection Prevention Professional who works in Kandy hospital says that Sri Lanka must start Lateral Flow Antigen Test in which the protein antibodies in the infected person’s blood is tested. It is a low-cost field test that brings results faster, the specialist highlighted. 

"We need about 5,000-6,000 PCR tests carried out daily. It is very costly, and the tests delay. The person associates others during the period between the PCR is tested, and the report is received. If the person is positive, he or she might have spread the virus to many others. Earlier, we received reports within 24 hours. Public Health Inspectors and Army took necessary actions fast. When the number of cases is high, there are practical issues," Dr. Mahen Kotalawala said in an interview with Mawbima newspaper. 

(Photo credit to Time) 

Sri Lanka exceeds 10,000 mark in terms of COVID-19 cases

Sri Lanka yesterday surpassed 10,000 in terms of the number of COVID-19 cases diagnosed in the country so far.

Meanwhile, 633 COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in Sri Lanka on 30th October 2020. The majority of them belonged to the Peliyagoda cluster. Brandix and Peliyagoda fish market clusters increased to more than 6,500.  

The total number of COVID-19 cases were at 10,424 by the end of the day. 

Director of the Epidemiology Unit, Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said that the spread of the virus was very high.

Health sources say that thousands of more reports of the PCR tests are to be received. There is a delay in receiving reports.

Army Commander of Sri Lanka orders people held in hotels for quarantine after 14 days sent home

Army Commander of Sri Lanka Lt. Gen. Shavendra de Silva said that the persons who are in  quarantine in star class hotels for more than two weeks after returning from foreign countries will be sent for home quarantine.

Some of these persons including Minister Vidura Wickramanayaka's sister Thushara Wickramanayaka, a doctor from UK, complained publicity via social media that they are kept in quarantine after 14 days as a business.

Wickramanayaka and others said that they had not been released from hotels they are quarantined since there sample for the final PCR test had been lost. 

They were asked to pay for another PCR test and stay in the hotel for few more days at their own expense until the report is received.

They have already paid extra for air tickets, PCR tests and from Rs. 175,000 to 200,000 for hotel quarantine. 

They accused that their is a quarantine business in Sri Lanka.

Thieves rob a house disguised as Public Health Inspectors in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka Police Media Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police Ajith Rohana said that a group of thieves who appeared as Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) had robbed a house in Kettapahuwa, Maho in the North Western Province. 

The incident had taken place in the afternoon around 3.30 p.m. The robbers appearing as PHIs gave tablets to the residents of the house saying they would take samples from them for PCR tests.

The residents of the house lost consciousness and woke up the next morning to discover that they had lost gold jewellery.

Police asked people to be vigilant about such incidents. Health authorities said that no medication is given before PCR samples are taken. 

Museum to be built in Dambana for Sri Lanka's Veddah skulls returned from Edinburgh

Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Mahinda Rajapaksa directed the officials of Central Cultural Fund to fund for a museum for Veddah community to place the artefacts returned by the University of Edinburgh. 

A museum is to be built in Dambana, the home of a section of Sri Lanka's indigenous Veddah community, to exhibit the ancient skulls and other artefacts belonging to the community. 

Nine skulls taken to the United Kingdom during the time of the colonial rule about 200 years ago were recently handed over to Veddah chieftain Uruwarige Wanniya. The skulls and the bones were kept so far in the museum of the University of Edinburgh. 

The hunter-gatherer, forest-dwelling community are now fast modernising and the community's traditional lifestyle is exhibited in Dambana which is a popular tourist attraction.

Rs. 3,400 million was approved for the Central Cultural Fund for the projects in 2021, The Prime Minister's media announced. 

(Photo credit to BBC)

Sri Lanka government issues a circular for employees to work from home

To control the spread of COVID-19, Sri Lanka government issued circular paving the way for the public employees work from home. 

The circular issued by President's Secretary P.B. Jayasundara is especially relevant to the Colombo, Gampaha and Kalutara districts of Western Province which are under travel restrictions. The circular is relevant to the other risk areas also that are identified by the Director-General of Health Services.

The public offices in other areas will function normally but with strict health precautions. 

The Department Head is given powers to identify and decide the work that can be delivered from home. The files and other equipment can be handed over to the employees and the officials who work from home are on duty from 8.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. The accounting authorities of the offices are responsible to provide facilities to the public employees for working online. 

The Department Head has powers to attach the rest of the officials to the other institutions which need human resources. The employees under quarantine can also be asked to work from home. However, workers with even mild symptoms of COVID-19 must be allowed to rest. 

The circular demands the authorities to provide online platforms for the public to obtain direct services.