ChildFund Sri Lanka donates medical equipment worth Rs. 8.1 m to Health Ministry to battle COVID-19

The equipment was handed over by ChildFund Sri Lanka Country Manager and Program Director Nalaka Siriwardena to Director General Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardane and Director General NGO Secretariat Raja Gunarathne

ChildFund Sri Lanka, recognising the urgency to strengthen Sri Lanka’s healthcare system through continued support, handed over vital brand-new lifesaving medical equipment estimated at Rs. 8.1 million, necessary to saves lives as the country battles the pandemic, to the Ministry of Health Sri Lanka recently.

The medical equipment, including 35 heavy duty nebulisers and six multipara monitors, is the first consignment to be presented as an initial phase, and intended to support the nation combat the raging pandemic, especially helping patients with respiratory issues.

The equipment was handed over by ChildFund Sri Lanka Country Manager and Program Director Nalaka Siriwardena to Director General Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardane and Director General NGO Secretariat Raja Gunarathne, during a token ceremony held on 20 July at the Ministry of Health premises in Colombo. Grant Post Award Manager Roshan Delabandara and Administrative Assistant Fedro Suren, representing ChildFund Sri Lanka were also in attendance at the event.

ChildFund Sri Lanka Country Manager Nalaka Siriwardena said, “Our donation aims to support health personnel by providing them the necessary tools to fight against the virus. This donation is another symbol of our commitment to local communities and also a sign of our gratitude and recognition to the challenges being faced by health personnel in these unprecedented times.”

The donation is part of ChildFund Sri Lanka’s COVID-19 Response Plan, based on its ‘Sri Lanka Gives Back’ fundraiser initiative supporting relief requirements arising from COVID-19 and communities impacted. Committed a one-to-one match of all donations received through the fundraiser, ChildFund has pledged to donate a similar amount in cash or purchase necessary medical equipment.

Based on its COVID-19 Response Plan, ChildFund Sri Lanka will implement a series of interventions during the next four months, offering a lifeline to those affected as a result of the pandemic. Funds collected from the fundraiser ‘Sri Lanka Gives Back’ will be utilised in supporting communities.