Japan grants equipment worth Rs. 400 Mn to Lankan hospitals

With the objective of further strengthening health services in Sri Lanka, The Government of Japan under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) assistance has provided Rs. 400 million worth medical equipment to nine hospitals in the country.

Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka Mizukoshi Hideaki Wednesday presented the stock of essential medical equipment to strengthen COVID-19 response to Keheliya Rambukwella, the Minister of Health, in the presence of Takashima Kiyofumi, Senior Representative of JICA.

The provided equipment was procured through JICA’s technical cooperation “Project for Strengthening COVID-19 Response” in a total of Rs.300 million.

The stock of medical equipment includes ventilators, ICU beds, blood gas analyzers, real time PCR machine, automated RNA/DNA extractor, and ultra-low temperature freezers.

The equipments are to be distributed to base hospitals in Teldeniya, Warakapola, Welikanda, Pimbura, Nawalapitiya, Hingurakgoda, Karawanella, and Avissavella and District General Hospital Hambantota.

The Government of Japan as well as the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have long supported the Sri Lankan healthcare services and have launched a number of projects to develop the Sri Lankan hospital system.

The Minister of Health thanked the Government of Japan and the people of Japan for their generosity over a long period of time and said that Japan had extended its support to Sri Lanka under various Heads of State and Government.

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Mizukoshi highlighted that among numerous development assistance of Japan in Sri Lanka, Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, which was constructed with Japan’s assistance in 1983, stands in forefront as the symbol of the great friendship between Japan and Sri Lanka in the field of health.

Through the assistance by JICA, Japan believes that PCR testing capacity and effective treatment and diagnosis of patients will be improved, which will ultimately contribute to revitalizing economic activities and tourism while containing the spread of the COVID-19 in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador said.

“As a long-time development partner, Japan will continue to stand in solidarity to overcome this crisis and achieve further economic development in Sri Lanka,” Ambassador Mizukoshi assured.

Secretary to the Ministry of Health Maj. Gen. Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe, Additional Secretary Dr. Sunil Alwis, and Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena were also present.