Speedy action to increase facilities at A'pura Military Hospital

COLOMBO: The Health Minister has decided to improve the services and the facilities available in the Anuradhapura Military Hospital to avoid congestion in the Anuradhapura General Hospital due to admission of wounded soldiers from Northern operational areas, states a Ministry of Health and Nutrition press release.

It said the security forces personnel who are injured in the claymore attacks by the LTTE in Vavunia, Wanni and Jaffna areas are admitted to the Anuradhapura Hospital. Anuradhapura General Hospital is the nearest hospital to North with specialist medical facilities, surgery and ICU. Although a separate ward is available for soldiers subjected to urgent surgical operations, the congestion at the ward increases due to escalation of violence. It has also been revealed that this situation is a threat to security of the warded soldiers under treatment.

These facts have been disclosed when Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva went on an official visit to the Anuradhapura Hospital to find out the shortcomings and the urgent necessities of the hospital which has been taken over by the central government from the Provincial Council recently.

"To provide higher security and more facilities to soldiers who perform an indispensable duty for the sake of the territorial integrity of the island, the facilities of the Anuradhapura Military hospital will be improved", the Minsiter said.

Following inspection of the Anuradhapura General Hospital the Minsiter met the Commanding Officer of the Anuradhapura Military Hospital Major Senadeera and enquired about facilities needed to uplift the patient care in the hospital.

The Minister said Anuradhapura General Hospital is meant for civilians and should not allow the people to think that it is a hospital for war casualties. He also said that this would help to enhance the security of soldiers and the public as well.

The Minister promised to provide immediately the necessary medical-officers and other human resources to the Army Hospital and instructed the Director General of Health Services. Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage to provide additional requisites if any on urgent basis.

The Minister expressed his gratitude to the medical consultant of the Anuradhapura General Hospital for having volunteered to serve the Army Hospital in an emergency. NCP Chief Minister Berty Premalal Dissanayaka, Minister of Port Development and Civil Aviation Duminda Dissanayaka and Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage the DGHS also participated.