Rs. 72 million to upgrade Cheddikulam Base Hospital

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry and German Red Cross Society to upgrade the Cheddikulam Base Hospital with all health facilities.

Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage singed for the Ministry while Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Chairman Jagath Abeysinghe signed on behalf of the German Red Cross Society (GRCS).

GRCS will spend Rs. 72 million for this project. The Cheddikulam Base Hospital is in the Vavuniya District and provides facilities for IDPs from uncleared areas in Mullaithivu.

At least 14 IDP welfare centres are established in Vavuniya District while there are three major hospitals functioning which includes the Vavuniya Teaching Hospital, Puvarasankulam District Hospital and Cheddikulam Base Hospital. The total number of beds available at the Cheddikulam Base Hospital is 131. One hundred and thirty one mattresses are also available for patients.

Around 246 patients are currently treated at this hospital while 231 IDP patients also receive treatment.

Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has requested from the Sri Lanka Red Cross Committee to upgrade the bed capacity of the Cheddikulam Base Hospital to at least 400. He requested to establish the ICU, Laboratory and X-ray units at the hospital.

"The International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) is a most helpful organisation of our country. During the last several years, ICRC has supported our people.

They reconstructed the 72 hospitals damaged by the tsunami. They have established 50 Community Health Centres in the coastal belt.

I have opened a hospital constructed by German Red Cross Society in Galle recently. I think they spent Rs. 700 million for that project," Minister de Silva said.

The signing of the MOU was held at the Health Ministry premises under Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva's patronage.