EU supports upgrade of health facility

The official handing over of upgraded health facilities in Thoppur Rural Hospital, Mutur with funding by the European Union (EU) through the Red Cross was held on February 3.

This project placed emphasis on development initiatives to improve the quality of life for conflict affected returnee communities, particularly in the east. Resettled communities have experienced significant challenges associated with a lack of proper infrastructure in particular in the health sector.

The targeted support provided under the EU - ACAP (Assistance for Conflict Affected People) programme has begun to reduce some of these challenges, which in turn will strengthen the progression towards a more normal standard of living.

This transformation which comes at a cost of Rs 16 million in grant assistance includes the construction of a new female ward, medical officer's quarters, an ambulance garage and a hospital kitchen.

The female wards now benefit from improved curative, antenatal, postnatal and paediatric care, reduced overcrowding and from better privacy. The upgrade will also provide accommodation facilities for the medical officer to ensure round the clock availability.

These improved facilities will benefit 21,000 from the surrounding local resettled villages.

The opening of the newly upgraded facility took place in the presence of the Eastern province chief minister S Santhirakanthan, EU head of operations Willy Vandenberghe, country coordinator for the German Red Cross Dr Tim Bray, health district medical officer Dr H Herath, RDHS and representatives from the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society. The European Union together with its Implementing Partner German Red Cross has supported the rehabilitation and reconstruction of five health facilities in the Trincomalee district, in addition to the upgrading of the Padaviya and Valaidichchenai Hospitals which are also on-going. These initiatives are part of European Union support for promoting health and wellbeing in targeted vulnerable communities across Trincomalee, Anuradhapura and Batticaloa.