Donation of equipment to Korea-Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital, Matara for COVID-19 treatment

The Ministry of Health (MOH) of Sri Lanka together with the Government of the Republic of Korea through the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and UNOPS held a ceremony to provide funding for critical medical equipment and supplies including PPE, Medical Gas worth $ 260,000 to the Korea Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital in Matara, on 30 December 2020 in Colombo.

The event was graced with the presence of senior officials from the Ministry of Health including the Deputy Director General (Planning), Director and the Deputy Director of the Matara District General Hospital. The Maternal and Newborn Healthcare strengthening Project aims to build the new Obstetrics building and upgrade the existing main building in the Korea Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital. The project was making headway until the hospital was declared a COVID-19 treatment centre and was partially handed over on the same day.

KOICA Deputy Country Director Kim commended the excellent and long-standing partnership with UNOPS in helping Sri Lanka access essential health services for reproductive, maternal and newborn and in achieving SDG 3 on Health which is a priority for KOICA bilateral cooperation. He further appreciated the continued cooperation given by the Ministry of Health and the Matara District General Hospital in the successful implementation of the project. He emphasised that KOICA is always willing to help their partner countries under this global pandemic and that Korean Government stands in solidarity with Sri Lanka during these difficult times. UNOPS Sri Lanka Country Manager Sudhir Muralidharan highlighted the importance of the partnership between UNOPS and the Ministry of Health which has led to the delivery of a significant portfolio of projects in healthcare infrastructure and procurement worth over $ 40 million through the construction and renovation of 65 hospitals and health centres, across the island since 2005.