JICA support to upgrade Jaffna hospital facilities

Dharma SRI ABEYRATNE

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) under the purview of the Japanese Government has taken steps to improve facilities at the Jaffna Teaching Hospital at a cost of US $ 25 million.

Moves are under way to improve central functions of Jaffna Teaching Hospital through construction of facilities, procurement and installation of equipment and other ancillary activities, Advisor of JICA South Asia Division Imoto Sachiko said.

A three-story building will be constructed in which the key departments of the hospital such as the Operation Theatre Complex, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Central Laboratory Complex, Central Supply and Sterilizing Department would be housed.

Apart from this more than 122 categories items of necessary equipment for improving facilities are to be installed.

JICA has planned to complete the project by the end of this year aiming to restore functions of the hospital as a tertiary care facility, to promote efficient healthcare services with the implementation of the Master Plan of the hospital.

"The Jaffna Teaching Hospital is required to function not only as a tertiary but also a primary and secondary care hospital and has treated a large number of patients beyond its true capacity. The hospital was unable to perform expected functions due to the lack of proper upgrading of facilities and equipment for the last twenty years" a JICA representative said.