More Accident Wards to be set up

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

All measures are in place to set up Accident Wards at Galle, Matara, Kegalle, Ratnapura, Badulla, Kandy and Kurunegala Base Hospitals, Health Minister Maitripala Sirisena said.

The minister was addressing the opening ceremony of the newly established Accident Ward at the Matara Hospital. The government has spent Rs.10 million on this ward.

The Health Ministry has identified the Kandy-Colombo, Puttalam-Colombo and Kurunegala-Colombo routes passes through Anuradhapura Ella, Colombo route passes through Badulla- Ratnapura, Colombo route passes through Hambanthota- Galle, Matara and Colombo route passes through Hambanthota, Embilipitiya routes as the road systems which report the largest number of road accidents.

"At present, only the Colombo National Hospital has an accident ward and it is difficult to provide emergency treatment for injured people in outstation areas.

The government has, therefore, decided to establish Accident Wards in each main hospital near by above road systems, "he added.

"The government has already completed construction activities of the Accident Wards at the Matara and Karapitiya hospitals.

The Neuro Trauma Unit of the Colombo National Hospital will function as the main centre of all accidents wards which are to be established at main hospitals,"he said.

Youth Affairs and Skills Development Minister Dullas Allahapperuma, Matara District MP Sanatha Jayasuriya and Health Ministry Additional Secretary Palitha Maheepala were also present.