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Sri Lanka’s medical facilities overwhelmed by large influx of wounded

BMJ 2009; 338 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.b1679 (Published 23 April 2009) Cite this as: BMJ 2009;338:b1679
  1. John Zarocostas
  1. 1Geneva

    The health infrastructure of Sri Lanka has been overwhelmed by the large influx of wounded and sick civilians evacuated from the escalating conflict in the north east of the island, Red Cross officials said this week.

    “What we are seeing is intense fighting in a very small area overcrowded with civilians who have fled there,” said Pierre Krahenbuhl, director of operations for the International Committee of the Red Cross.

    “The situation is nothing short of catastrophic. Ongoing fighting has killed or wounded hundreds of civilians who have only minimal access to medical care.”

    “We are extremely concerned about the tens of thousands of civilians trapped in the ‘no fire zone,’” Mr Krahenbuhl …

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