THE decision of the health ministry on Monday to provide laboratory service free of cost to patients suspected to be suffering from Dengue different hospitals In the six divisional headquarters of the country Is a welcome piece of news. Given the dismal performance In containing dengue all over the country so far. their Is silver-lining around the clouds.

However, a mere announcement of the decision Is no guarantee that It will be Implemented In full. We would like to see the hospital laboratories provide It is called upon to deliver free to the poor. In the name of poor others should not get at. Moreover. they should be helped with treatment as well.

We would also request the authority to take steps to ensure better management at these hospitals as long as the crisis continues. There should be no let up on holidays. The government needs to set up a monitoring cell to oversee the performance of these laboratories. Again, the responsibility to Inform the masses about the existence of these facilities also Iles on the government.