Tsunami affected Indigenous orthopaedic hospital seeks assistance

BY A. Sumanasena - Kolonnawa gr. corr.

THE Pallewela Veda Medura abutting the Galle Road at Katukurunda, Moratuwa, an orthopaedic nursing institute of indigenous medicine treating indoor and outdoor patients of all ethnic denominations was hit by the ruthless tsunami on December 26 last year.

Pallewela Veda Medura, Katukurunda, Moratuwa, in addition to treating orthopaedic patients was also the laboratory for the production of local medicine, ointments, and medicinal herbal plasters used in its outlets in Sirimavo Bandaranaike Mawatha, Colombo and at Hospital Road, Kalubowila, Dehiwala.

It also housed the special X'ray equipment to investigate orthopaedic ailments. Not only locals but even foreigners sought treatment at this nursing home under emergency circumstances such as road accidents.

The sudden tsunami invasion of December 26 which submerged over 3 and half feet high within the nursing home premises swept away not only the medical equipment and indigenous medicinal accessaries but even large stocks of herbal logs stored in the laboratory by private traders.

The items swept away included patients' beds, furniture, doors and windows, bed-spreads, television sets, brass cauldrons etc.

The owner of the indigenous nursing home, Dr.R.K.Vaidyaratna, who takes great pains to preserve the ancient medical system lamented that in spite of several representations made to numerous institutions for rehabilitation assistance in respect of this devastated medical institute, nothing positive has emerged so far.

He urges benefactors to come forward to assist him as he is rendering this social service very often free of charge and devoid of any motives to earn profit.