September 15, Colombo (LNW): Four major healthcare development projects with a combined investment of approximately Rs. 7.15 billion are due to get underway on September 16, as foundation stones are laid at hospitals in Anuradhapura, Trincomalee, Mannar and Mullaittivu.
The projects undertaken under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake are intended to strengthen specialist medical services and expand hospital capacity across the Northern, North Central and Eastern provinces. The programme is being supported through a combination of Japanese loan funding and Indian grant assistance.
The largest development will be an eight-storey cardiac care facility at Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, with an estimated cost of Rs. 3.545 billion. A similar eight-storey complex will be established at Trincomalee District General Hospital at a cost of around Rs. 2.403 billion.
Both cardiac centres are expected to provide a broad range of services for patients with cardiovascular conditions. Planned facilities include coronary and intensive care units, catheterisation laboratories, inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, diagnostic laboratories, X-ray and ECG services, together with supporting educational and conference facilities.
Meanwhile, Mannar District General Hospital will receive a new emergency, accident and critical care complex valued at Rs. 600 million. The facility is expected to improve the hospital’s ability to respond to serious injuries, trauma cases and other medical emergencies.
A further Rs. 600 million will be invested in a four-storey ward block at Mullaittivu District General Hospital. The new building is intended to provide additional bed capacity, reduce pressure on existing wards and create a more suitable environment for patient treatment.
The two cardiac care projects are being financed with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). JICA Sri Lanka Chief Representative Shigeo Honzu and Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Akio Isomata are expected to participate in the foundation-laying ceremonies.
The Mannar and Mullaittivu developments, meanwhile, are being funded through Rs. 1.2 billion in grants from the Government of India. Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha is also scheduled to attend.
