Doctor says there is no safe place to keep the patients

In two letters to the director, Dr Sathyamoorthy says there is no safe place to keep patients and asks if he should continue to offer services in the region or stop and leave the area for a time.

He says six hospitals have already been moved amid recent heavy fighting in the region between government forces and Tamil Tiger rebels, and that many people already displaced by the conflict have been hit by shells in recent days.

Secretary of Health said he would refer the matter to the president if needed   Dr. Vishwanathan Jeganathan, consultant to the health ministry on the north east

The health authorities said they are concerned of the plight of the health officials serving in Vanni.

Dr. Vishwanathan Jeganathan, consultant to the health ministry on the north east, told BBC Sandeshaya that the ministry officials decided to discuss the request with secretary of defence.

At the same, ICRC representative who attended a meeting with health officials on Tuesday was requested to get a response from the LTTE whether the hospitals could be declared war free zones.

“Secretary of Health said he would refer the matter to the president if needed,” Dr. Jeganathan added.