UNICEF renovates hospitals in former LTTE-held areas

A year after the defeat of the LTTE, the United Nations Children’s Fund is actively assisting in reviving the hospitals and health facilities in the war ravaged areas of North once dominated by the LTTE.

The UNICEF is refurbishing and renovating four Gramodaya Health Centres in the Northern Province and is also modernising and equipping the obstetric and paediatric units of the Mullaithivu General Hospital.

The UNICEF on Thursday re-established emergency obstetric and paediatric care at the Kilinochchi General Hospital damaged during the conflict.

In a special event, Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa, along with UNICEF Representative Philippe Duamelle, re-opened the new facility.The hospital is now equipped to handle complicated obstetric procedures and allow pregnant mothers to deliver their babies safely, says a UNICEF release.

Besides providing assistance for the operation theatre, labour room, maternity and paediatric wards that were refurbished and equipped, UNICEF will also help provide a special baby care unit in the Kilinochchi hospital. As a result, pregnant women, mothers and children will no longer need to travel long distances to access specialised health care, the release said.

“This project will serve the health needs of thousands of women and children now returning back to their homes” .

Courtesy: defence.lk