Lanka IOC, under its CSR arm ‘WE CARE” recently donated an ambulance to the Lihiniyagama Hospital, in the Dehiathakandiya Division of the Ampara District.
It was formally handed over by President Maithripala Sirisena to the Regional Director of Health Services, Ampara, Dr. Senaka Talagala in the presence of the Prime Minister Hon. Ranil Wickremasinghe and the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka His Excellency Y. K. Sinha at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.
According to Dr. Talagala, the Dehiathakandiya area has been identified by the Ministry of Health as an area affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). At present, around 350 new patients have been registered in this area. The Base Hospital at Dehiathakandiya currently provides treatment to patients suffering from CKD. However, considering the large number of patients reported in the adjoining Lihiniyagama area, a Primary Medical Care Unit has been established at the Lihiniyagama Hospital to provide relief to these new patients.
President Maithripala Sirisena appreciated and welcomed the donation of this ambulance especially since a large number of CKD patients were reported from the Dehiathakandiya Division in recent times. Regional Director of Health Services, Ampara, Dr. Senaka Talagala together with Dr. Tilak Rajapakse received the ambulance on behalf of the hospital.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony Managing Director, Lanka IOC Subodh Dakwale said, “Our CSR initiatives stem from this simple yet strong belief and regular initiatives are being taken by the company in this direction”.
The High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka His Excellency Y. K. Sinha said that the Government of India and many Indian companies in Sri Lanka have been providing many services to the community especially in the health sector. “The donation of this ambulance by Lanka IOC PLC is one such activity and I believe that this will be of immense help to the affected community in that area”, he said.
He added that with the donation of modern facilities to the Glencairn Hospital in Dickoya, the hospital would commence OPD functions in the near future. The High Commissioner affirmed that the Government of India had many more health projects lined up for the people of Sri Lanka. Also present at the handing over ceremony were Independent Directors and Senior Officials of Lanka IOC and Government officials.