The blood samples of patients, diagnosed as suffering from Myocarditis which is spreading in the Badulla area, have been sent to the Medical Research Institute (MRI) two weeks ago from the Badulla general hospital. But, The MRI has not given reports on the blood samples up to yesterday (14).

The Acting Medical Superintendent of the Badulla general hospital Dr. Mrs. M. Ponrajah told The Island yesterday that they had sent the blood samples to the MRI two weeks ago.

"But, we have not received the reports and the MRI did not inform us why they had delayed the reports," she said.

At present, over 70 persons, both male and female, have been affected with the disease. The patients were admitted to the Badulla hospital from Badulla, Hali–Ela, Diyatalawa and some parts of the Moneragala district, Dr. Anindu Pathirana, Consultant Cardiologist of the hospital said.

"Some patients have completely recovered and some are still under treatment at the Badulla hospital. Today, about five or six new patients came to the clinic," Dr. Pathirana added that they had sent blood samples of the patients to MRI, but had wanted to know if there were no facilities to test the samples at the MRI.

When contacted, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said he was not aware of the problem.

However, Dr. Mrs. Geethani Wickramasinghe of the MRI said last Tuesday(8) that MRI had not received any such blood samples. Attempts to contact the Director of the MRI Dr. Mrs. Gaya Kolambage, were not successful.