… to meet requirement of all SP and Moneragala hospitals

Health Secretary Dr. Palitha Maheepala recently opened an oxygen generation plant at the Tissamaharama government hospital. UNICEF has provided the funding required for the project.The Health Ministry spokesman said that the new facility, built at a cost of Rs 50 mn, could meet the oxygen requirement of all government hospitals in the Hambantota district.

The official said that this was in line with instructions issued by Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana with a view to improving overall health sector facilities in the provinces.

Dr. Pathirana replaced Keheliya Rambukwella as Health Minister in Oct, 2023, in the wake of the disclosure of massive health sector corruption.

According to the official, the new facility could produce enough oxygen to fill 900 jumbo cylinders of oxygen a month whereas the total requirement of the Hambantota district government hospitals was 250 jumbo cylinders. Revealing that the monthly requirement of Tissamaharama hospital had been 53 jumbo cylinders of oxygen, the official said that the Tissamaharama hospital spent Rs 300,000 on liquid oxygen.After having met the requirement of Hambantota district hospitals, the surplus would be allocated to hospitals in the Galle, Matara and Moneragala districts, he said.

With the installation of an oxygen generation plant at Tissamaharama, the total number of such facilities has been increased to five. Earlier oxygen generating plants were provided to Nawalapitiya, Avissawella, Udugama and Kegalle hospitals.

Dr. Maheepala assured the top management of Tissamaharama hospital that Rs 30 mn for development of the hospital and Rs 50 mn to procure an endoscopy machine would also be provided.