PHIs withdraw from disease control activities citing lack of power

COLOMBO (News1st) : Public Health Inspectors (PHI) have withdrawn from disease control activities, citing lack of powers vested with them by state authorities. The health ministry issued a gazette on Friday outlining several health guidelines that must be adhered with regard to the parliamentary election. However, the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Union said the gazette has not given them powers to monitor the implementation of these guidelines. "We cannot implement the law without being vested with powers," Upul Rohana, the president of the Sri Lanka Public Health Inspectors Union said. He pointed out that the gazette does not vest any powers with any authority to take action if the guidelines are not followed. Rohana expressed disappointment citing a remark made by health minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi that power will not be vested with PHIs to avoid inconveniencing the public. "If the minister had not made such a remark, issue a press release denying that such a statement had not been made," he said. The union president urged the minister to prepare a legal framework within which the PHIs can exercise their duties.