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| Sunday, 27 February 2005 |
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India to set up new cancer hospital in Colombo by Ranga Jayasuriya India will build a Cancer hospital in Colombo and help upgrade three base hospitals in Hambantota, Point Pedro and Dikoya, an Indian Health Ministry delegation told a press conference yesterday as they concluded an inspection tour in the island. Indian High Commissioner Nirupama Rao said India had granted 7.5 million US dollars to set up a State of art cancer hospital in Colombo and the project would begin soon after a site is identified. "India would collaborate with the Sri Lankan Government to upgrade health infrastructure on immediate, medium and long term projects," the High Commissioner said. Joint Secretary of Indian Health Ministry Bhawani Thyagaraja, said the delegation visited several prospective sites for the cancer hospital and held discussions with their Sri Lankan counterparts. "I am hopeful it will be a short time before the project starts," she said. She said the delegation visited Hambantota, Point Pedro and Dik Oya where the Indian government plans to upgrade the existing base hospitals. "There are certain deficiencies, existing facilities are minimal and outdated," she said. "But people there are doing a wonderful job with limited facilities. That's a sight to see," she said. The Indian government will upgrade Dik Oya base hospital, adding 200 beds at a cost of 550 million rupees. Indians plan to add a psychiatric unit, female surgery unit and anaesthesia machine to the Point-Pedro Base Hospital. Emergency Accident Unit will be added to the Hambantota Base Hospital. "Once these measures are done, most of deficiencies could be overcome," said the Deputy Director General of the Indian Government's Directorate General of Health Sciences, Prof. S. Badrinath. Jaffna hospital authorities had requested Indian help to set up a trauma counselling centre and an intensive care unit. More training opportunities for North-East medical workers have also been requested. The High Commissioner said the Sri Lankan Health Ministry next week would submit its concept paper on the proposed upgrading project of base hospitals for the consideration of the Indian government. |
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