AmeriCares promises more funding for health sector

Nadira Gunatilleke

AmeriCares International has promised to grant Rs.100 million to upgrade the health sector of Sri Lanka within a period of two years. Country Director, AmeriCares, Lisa Hilmi announced this yesterday during the opening of new Prosthetic and Orthodontic workshop set up at a cost of Rs.35 million at Lady Ridgway Hospital Colombo, a Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry spokesman said.

The organization has planned to invest the money within a period of two years and it will also set up more workshops at Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Ampara and Kandy hospitals for the benefit of needy children who require artificial limbs and other body parts.

Handicap is also funding a new building complex now being constructed at the Elpitiya General Hospital at a cost of Rs.450 million.

AmeriCares International also funds to provide medical equipment to nurses’ training schools, IDP camps and health centres. AmeriCares International is an U.S. based NGO engaged in social welfare activities in Sri Lanka and has contributed to upgrade the health sector in Sri Lanka significantly.