Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has directed the health officials to pay special attention to those who are above the age of 60 and are suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases.
Presidential Media Division (PMD) said according to the investigations conducted into the deaths reported during the last few days, it has been revealed that the majority was from the Western Province.
“It has been identified that a higher percentage of this group was those who are above the age of 60, suffer from non-communicable diseases, and have not received the COVID-19 vaccine.
Therefore, the President emphasized the need to formulate a special mechanism by paying special attention to those who are above the age of 60 and are suffering from chronic non-communicable diseases,” it said.
The President made these remarks during the Special Committee on COVID-19 Control held at the Presidential Secretariat this morning.
“The President said the priority should be given to those who are over the age of 60 and suffer from various diseases when conducting PCR and Rapid Antigen Tests.
He also pointed out the need to isolate the patients who have undergone kidney transplants and those who are receiving dialysis. The need to obtain information of the patients registered at the clinics in hospitals to receive treatment for non-communicable diseases, and bringing them to the special attention of Medical Officers of Health and the Public Health Inspectors was also discussed.
People over the age of 60 in the Western Province who have not yet been vaccinated due to various diseases have been identified.