With funding from the Government of the Netherlands Rs. The Cardiovascular and Renal Disease Unit constructed at Vavunia District General Hospital at a cost of 3,329 million was inaugurated yesterday (26) under the leadership of President Ranil Wickramasinghe.
The construction of this project started in 2019 when President Ranil Wickremesinghe was the Prime Minister.
This new three-storied building has Cardiology Department, Cath Lab, Cardiothoracic theatre, Cardiac ICU, Echo Cardiography, Exercise ECG, Ambulatory BP Unit. Monitoring), there are modern facilities like Ambulatory ECG monitoring. Urology department has facilities like dialysis unit, scan room and special facility room for kidney patients and surgery unit.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who unveiled the name board and inaugurated the new building containing the heart disease and kidney disease unit, paid an observation visit there.
Addressing the event that followed, the President mentioned that the government is working to further improve these health facilities that have been provided under the support of the Netherlands government for the people of the northern region.
Pointing out that a modern and sophisticated hospital structure has been provided for the people of Northern Province, the President also mentioned that this modern hospital structure which has been strengthened on the A9 road is a great support for the medical tourism business of this country.
President Ranil Wickremesinghe also addressed
The opening of this unit will continue to improve the health service in the Northern Region. Government expects to renovate and develop Mannar District Hospital.
As the then Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, I worked to secure an agreement with the Dutch government to build this medical unit. I am glad to have the opportunity to open it today. I thank all those who dedicated themselves to it.
We would also like to thank the Government of the Netherlands for their patience and dedication in completing this project. The Dutch government has made extensive contributions to strengthen health care in the Northern Province. At present, the Jaffna Hospital along with the Cotton Thara Hospital is providing healthcare facilities to the people of Northern Province.
The A9 road is like the backbone of Sri Lanka. Three modern hospitals have been constructed in the areas of Vavuniya, Mankulam and Kilinochchi through that road. After making Garabity Hospital a National Hospital, we have decided to make Jaffna Hospital a National Hospital as well.
Also, Anuradhapuram Teaching Hospital is at the next turn of the A9 road. Also, Member of Parliament Selvam Adhikalanathan requested me to develop Vavuniya Hospital and convert it into a teaching hospital. Distance between Anuradhapura and Jaffna is only 65 km. Today the province has a very strong hospital infrastructure. It must be said that this is a condition that cannot be seen in any other province outside Colombo.
We need to explore how to further strengthen these health services for the people of the North. Apart from Colombo, the A9 road from Anuradhapura to Jaffna has also become a major hub for health care. And this has created many opportunities for medical tourism. Also, it will be an important project to improve the health facilities of the people of this country. We are taking steps to take this project forward further. We expect the Dutch government to help us in the future to continue this project,” the President said.
Kader Mastan, Minister of State for Rural Economy,
We express our gratitude to the Government of the Netherlands for their contribution in the construction of Cardiovascular and Renal Disease Unit at Vavuniya District General Hospital. Today, President Ranil Wickramasinghe, who took charge of our economically depressed country, is gradually developing the country. Thanking the President for that is not enough. He has transformed this country from a precarious state to a better one.
Many hospitals here are facing shortage of staff and physical resources. In the economic crisis that the country is facing, all these problems cannot be solved at once. But the President is gradually solving those problems. “We have to work very carefully to solve our problems in the future,” he said.
Bonnie Horbach, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Sri Lanka,
This is the fourth hospital we are opening today. The trip which started on 12th June 2018 with the cooperation agreement signed with Dutch company VAMED and Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka has been successfully completed today.
As per this agreement, steps have been taken to construct four hospitals with state-of-the-art medical equipment for the Northern Province. 75% of the total amount spent for it was concessional loan and the remaining amount was given as a grant from the Dutch government. The Dutch government decided to raise the value of the subsidy to 35% of the total cost. “The increase in this grant shows the commitment of the Dutch government in strengthening relations with Sri Lanka and supporting health services in the Northern Province,” he said.
In this event, Northern Governor B.S.M. Charles, Members of Parliament Selvam Adhikalanathan, Kulasingham Dileepan, North Province Chief Secretary Lakshmanan Ilangovan, North Province Council officials, Provincial Health Officers, Hospital staff and others were present.
