• Call for urgent nutrition programmes in drought-hit areas

Children below five years of age and schoolchildren below 17 in areas affected by the severe drought linked to El Niño conditions could face a greater risk of malnutrition unless the Government makes advance preparations and provides the necessary social welfare support, Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) President Dr Chamal Sanjeewa warned.

Speaking to the media yesterday (30), he said reduced food production, lower harvests of quality food and a significant drop in farmers’ incomes in affected areas, coupled with rising expenditure, could make it more difficult for rural and semi-urban communities to obtain nutritious food.

He said the resulting food shortages could further increase malnutrition among children living in these areas and called for programmes to provide nutritious food to children below five and schoolchildren below 17 who may be affected by the drought.

Dr Sanjeeva further said the Government should pay particular attention to children under five, as the Thriposha programme was already not being implemented in many parts of the country.

He also called on the Health Ministry to urgently introduce special nutrition programmes for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and elderly people suffering from non-communicable diseases.

A special health task force should also be established to prepare for the possible effects of El Niño, with dedicated funds allocated to strengthen the health system ahead of any deterioration in conditions, he said.

Dr Sanjeeva said the Government had a responsibility to ensure that the health sector was adequately prepared to deal with the possible impact of El Niño, particularly in communities already facing food and income difficulties due to the drought.

Several attempts to contact the Health Ministry Secretary and the Director General of Health Services for comment were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.