Three hospitals – Chilaw Base Hospital, Mahiyanganaya and Wattegama hospitals- have sustained extensive damage from the latest disasters induced by cyclone Ditwah and another 100 small hospitals have been submerged by the floodwaters, an official said.
The cyclonic storm has inflicted the biggest damage to the Chilaw hospital, with all vital medical equipment, including the CT scan machine, being hit, according to Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe.
Dr. Jasinghe told Daily Mirror that only daytime OPD (Out-Patient Department) treatment and emergency care are carried out at the moment.
“The hospital in Chilaw has been affected the most. Besides, the Wattegama and Mahiyanganaya hospitals have been hit. In Wattegama, we evacuated all the patients. We are carrying out an assessment to see whether any equipment at these hospitals is salvageable,” he said.
Besides, he said 100 hospitals remain inundated.
Asked whether any rough estimate of the damages has been taken, he said it is yet to be done.
Commenting on assistance from the international agencies, he said the World Health Organisation (WHO) had already provided Rs.53 million to the National Health Development Fund at this time.
Dr.Jasinghe said the health authorities regularly assess the health needs of people living in welfare centres after the disaster
(Source - Dailymirror)
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