We are working with some NGOs to boost the provision of critical health services through the medical line 165 - Doctor Matanaicake

With the increasing number of new COVID-19 cases, severe cases and hospitalisations, the Ministry of Health continues to ensure that those needing COVID-19 care, medication, rations, and those needing specialist on-call clinics are catered for during these trying times.

CWM Hospital Head of Surgical Department, Doctor Semesa Matanaicake says they are also working with some NGOs to provide critical services through the medical line 165.

Doctor Matanaicake says 165 has lines that deal with ambulance and retrieval service, COVID patients needing top-up of medication or rations, specialist lines like cardiac, diabetic clinics, surgical, pediatric, gynecology and cancer support services.

He says because of physical distancing, it is hard for medical officials to continue the specialist outpatients clinics.

Doctor Matanaicake says through this assistance, they can continue to provide specialist services despite the increasing number of severe and critical COVID patients.

He says if the patient is COVID positive, delivery of the medicine will be arranged.

The in-patient treatment also has to be done with a lot of coordination and the Ministry continues to assess how they can provide specialist services in the urban and rural areas.

Doctor Matanaicake says they are grateful for the provision of more vehicles by some NGOs to assist the patients.

He says they are also grateful for the volunteers assisting in looking after the lines.