• Consume cooked food donations immediately 

Children under the age of 14 years with chronic illnesses, who are from flood affected areas, obtaining treatment for the same from State hospitals island-wide, can avail of a new treatment option provided for by the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (LRH).   

Such children can contact the LRH’s Quality Management Unit and seek information regarding the medical assistance that they require for any chronic illness for which they obtain treatment from State hospitals, the Deputy LRH Director, Dr. Santhushitha Senapathi explained to The Daily Morning. This initiative has been introduced as a measure to prevent a massive and sudden influx of patients, which would impact child care service delivery. However, according to Dr. Senapathi, children who obtain treatment for such illnesses from private sector health institutions should first register at the LRH as one of its patients before they can avail of the said service. 

Meanwhile, Consultant Paediatrician at the LRH, Dr. Deepal Perera called for patients in disaster affected parts of the island to beware of the risk of the spread of dysentery and typhoid, and hence urged parents to ensure that their young drank boiled and cooled water or bottled water at the most. Also, children above 12 years of age who are exposed to floodwater should be given 200 milligrams of the prophylaxis Doxycycline once a week. He also warned against the possible spread of influenza and other viral infections. Medical specialists have also urged people in camps to consume food parcels that are donated to them as soon as they receive it rather than delaying consumption.