Well-maintained government hospital

One morning I visited ward 15 of the Eye Hospital to see a patient and meet the doctor attending to him. While I was seated at the passage, waiting for the doctor, I saw the most beautiful sight I ever saw in a hospital in Sri Lanka.

First a female employee swept the floor of the passage and wards. It was followed by a male employee with a bucket of detergent and a mop. Both did a wonderful job of cleaning the floors of the passage and wards.

Then came, an immaculately dressed nurse who went to each and every bed and arranged the clean white sheets which were rumpled and arranged the pillows neatly. I spoke to this nurse and told her that this act has completely changed my opinion I had about Government Hospitals in Sri Lanka.

Obviously she was happy and asked me about my whereabouts. Later I spoke to the patient and asked him about the condition of the bathrooms. I was told that minor staffers clean and mop the bathrooms at frequent intervals. In general I noted that the wards were very clean as those of a private nursing home.

I also noted that the attitudes of most of the nurses at these wards were very good.

They spoke to the patients politely and were very courteous to the visitors.

Doctors, nurses and minor staff members were equally good. I only hope that all wards in the General Hospital are of the same high standards.

I am writing this small note to express my gratitude to these wonderful people who provide a silent service to Sri Lanka’s health sector. My thanks also go to those supervising officers responsible for maintaining these high standards in the hospital.

P Mutukumarana THIMBIRIGASYAYA