Samagi Jana Balawegaya Parliamentarian Nalin Bandara Jayamaha says Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health Services have all failed in mitigating the COVID-19 pandemic.
MP Jayamaha speaking at a media briefing said they requested former Director General Dr. Anil Jasinghe to be made a member of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID -19 Outbreak adding however he has not yet been included in the Task Force since being appointed the Secretary to the Ministry of Environment.
The Parliamentarian said the Task Force has not shown any signs of success.
He said the Health Ministry has been decentralised adding for the Ministry to operate it must be centralised instead of four individuals working towards four different goals.
MP Jayamaha said the government’s claims of the country heading the vaccination drive in the world is false.
He said less than 20% of the country’s population have been fully vaccinated.
The Parliamentarian said 76% have been administered one vaccine while 68% have been fully vaccinated in Singapore, 72% have been administered one vaccine and 62% have been fully vaccinated in Canada, 69% given one jab while 60% have been fully vaccinated in Italy, and 58% have been give one vaccine and 50% have been fully vaccinated in the United States.
MP Jayamaha said there is a gap of 10-15% between the fully vaccinated and individuals who have only received one dose in other countries while there is a gap of 30% in Sri Lanka.
The Parliamentarian said only 13% of the population are above the age of 60 years adding many lives could have been saved if the government was able to prioritise and vaccinate all individuals above the age of 60.
He said the current vaccination drive is chaotic and is yet to be made a priority.
