Kandy Teaching Hospital expansion impeded

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

The Master Plan for the expansion of the Kandy Teaching Hospital has run into a snag as squatters have occupied more than 50 per cent of the hospital's remaining land. Sources said Kandy Police have also taken over nearly one acre of Hospital land for building a welfare unit. The Kandy Teaching Hospital is considered the second largest in the country with over a 2000 bed capacity and 50 consultant doctors serving there.

Sources said nearly 30 acres out of the total 50 acres housing the Kandy Teaching Hospital have been taken over by the squatters causing severe hindrance to the hospital's expansion program.

"As a result, we are in a very difficult position to implement the proposed Master Plan which seeks to upgrade the hospital's facilities." a senior Ministry official told the Daily News.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva who last week visited the hospital ordered the Director General of Health services to bring the matter to the notice of the Inspector General of Police. "The Minister instructed the DG to write to the IGP requesting for necessary steps to evict the squatters and also to release the land encroached on by Police after retaining the required space for them," added the official.

Minister de Silva stressed that it is necessary to upgrade this hospital to cater to the country's rising demand for health facilities. "This hospital caters to seven provinces and has many specialised units.

Therefore, it needs to be upgraded." At present, Kandy Hospital provides in-house treatment for 12,000 patients while over 30,000 are seeking OPD treatment per month. Over 3,000 operations are performed every month. The proposed master plan has been prepared projecting the health requirements for the next 25 years.

"Under this project a mega infrastructure development program will be implemented apart from improving human resources," the official added.

The proposed plan envisages the construction of a theatre complex, ward complex, ICUs and children's units.

The official said the Master Plan has seen no progress for over one year due to the problem created by squatters and it is necessary for the law enforcement authorities to take stern action on this issue.