Hon. M.S. Abthul Wazeeth

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you for the opportunity to join the debate on the Regulations under the NMRA Act.

¶ 02 Irakkamam in Ampara District is a separate Pradeshiya Sabha area with a tri-ethnic population of about 22,000, 12 GN divisions and 13,500 voters. A central dispensary was started there around 1915; it now functions as a Grade “C” divisional hospital but with many deficiencies. It should be upgraded. Patients must travel 15–20 km from border villages to the Ampara District General Hospital and face language barriers there. At the recent District Coordinating Committee meeting, the PS Chairman Musmi, Deputy Chairman Aasik and Member K.S. Sameem requested starting an obstetrics unit at this hospital. I reiterate that request.

¶ 03 Hon. Deputy Chairperson, in Nintavur, the Ayurvedic Research Hospital for communicable diseases began in 2017. Land was acquired and construction started through the efforts of former State Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Hon. Faizal Cassim. But it remains incomplete and now operates elsewhere without basic facilities, though under the Central Government. Its aim is to study indigenous treatments and medicines for specific diseases, validate through scientific research, and deliver benefits to the people and the nation. Developing this hospital could promote green tourism, holistic medicine and ion therapy for locals and foreigners. Please complete construction and operationalize it fully. I thank Dr. M.Y. Ishaq for his dedicated service amid hardships.

¶ 04 In Pottuvil DS Division, the Pottuvil Medical Officer of Health office serves 48,000 people with maternal and child health over 296 sq. km. It needs 16 PHMs; in 2017 there were 13, today only 10. The Ministry says Kalmunai RDHS has excess cadre; then why have these vacancies in Pottuvil persisted for eight years? Please appoint the required PHMs to improve services. I also thank retired Public Health Inspector Abdul Malik for 35 years of service, and MOH Uwais Farook for his ongoing service.

¶ 05 The Komari Primary Medical Care Unit is 16 km from Pottuvil Base Hospital and operates only 8.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. People from 12 small villages must travel through forest at night to reach Pottuvil, risking elephant attacks and accidents. Considering transport and other hardships, please upgrade Komari PMCU to a divisional hospital, repair and operate the maternity unit, and provide at least a weekly dental clinic. The PMCU’s ambulance has been used for Thirukkovil needs since COVID and not returned; please return it. I thank Dr. Aqil for his service and request appointment of an additional medical officer. I also thank Mr. Subotharan for bringing these matters to my attention.

¶ 06 Further south of Pottuvil, the 1/05 Savalai PMCU serves villages 75, P18 and 119, and tourists to Arugam Bay. Only one doctor serves there; please appoint another MO and a development officer. The PMCU needs accommodation and other facilities; please address them, and erect elephant fences around the premises for safety. I thank Dr. A.U. Samath for his dedicated service. Please take steps to operate this PMCU 24 hours. I thank Deputy Chairman Mabeer and Mr. Yaseen Ziyad for providing information. Wassalaam!