Japan grants equipment worth Rs. 300 m to Sri Lanka hospitals

Saturday, 22 January 2022 01:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Aiming to further strengthen the health service in Sri Lanka, the Government of Japan, under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assistance has provided Rs. 300 million worth medical equipment to nine hospitals in the country.

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki Wednesday presented the stock of essential medical equipment to strengthen COVID-19 response to Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, in the presence of JICA Senior Representative Takashima Kiyofumi.

The provided equipment was procured through JICA’s technical cooperation ‘Project for Strengthening COVID-19 Response’ in a total of Rs. 300 million.

The stock of medical equipment includes ventilators, ICU beds, blood gas analysers, real-time PCR machine, automated RNA/DNA extractor, and ultra-low-temperature freezers.

The equipment is to be distributed to base hospitals in Teldeniya, Warakapola, Welikanda, Pimbura, Nawalapitiya, Hingurakgoda, Karawanella, and Avissawella, and Hambantota District General Hospital.

The Government of Japan as well as JICA have long supported the Sri Lankan healthcare services and have launched a number of projects to develop the Sri Lankan hospital system.

The Minister of Health thanked the Government of Japan and the people of Japan for their generosity over a long period of time and said that Japan had extended its support to Sri Lanka under various heads of state and governments. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Mizukoshi highlighted that among much development assistance of Japan in Sri Lanka, Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, which was constructed with Japan’s assistance in 1983, stands in the forefront as the symbol of the great friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka in the field of health. Through the assistance by JICA, Japan believes that PCR testing capacity and effective treatment and diagnosis of patients will be improved, which will ultimately contribute to revitalising economic activities and tourism while containing the spread of the COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador said.

“As a long-time development partner, Japan will continue to stand in solidarity to overcome this crisis and achieve further economic development in Sri Lanka,” Ambassador Mizukoshi assured.

Secretary to the Ministry of Health Maj. Gen. Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Additional Secretary Dr. Sunil Alwis, and Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena were also present.