27th May 2021 23:00:31 Hours
A combined team of senior medical experts on Maternal and Child Health, led by Dr (Mrs) H.S. R Perera, Deputy Director General of Health Services, together with a few other specialists on Tuesday (25) undertook an inspection tour to the Army Seva Vanitha Unit-converted Seeduwa Intermediate Care Centre cum Hospital in order to assess feasibility on its functionality for maternal and child health in separate wards.
The medical team, welcomed by Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, President of the Army Seva Vanitha Unit (ASVU), comprised of Dr Mrs Chithramalee de Silva, Director, Family Health Bureau, Prof Dr Shaman Rajindrajith, Consultant Paeditrician, Dr Surantha Perera, Consultant Paeditrician and Dr Sanath Lanerolle, President, Perinatal Society of Sri Lanka, as advised by HE the President earlier on Monday (24) met General Shavendra Silva, Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO), Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army and sought General Shavendra Silva's strategic guidance to find an alternative location to treat those virus-infected pregnant ones and children with special needs.
As a result, General Shavendra Silva readily suggested the allocation of one Ward or so in the Army-improvised 1200 bed-equipped Seeduwa facility for this urgent purpose where an ICU and all necessary medical accessories are available since maternal and child health remains a priortized concern in medical circles. This first-ever biggest COVID-19 Hospital was made a reality, thanks to the generosity extended by Brandix Green Plant Company Ltd.
While the medical specialists were at the location, Dr Sudarshani Fernandopulle, State Minister of Primary Health Services and COVID-19 Pandemic Prevention (MP) also made a surprise visit to the ICC and saw the entire complex along with visiting medical specialists. Mrs Sujeewa Nelson received the Minister with visiting specialists.
During Tuesday's visit to the location, the medical team closely inspected the earmarked Wards, discussed and assessed manpower requirements, including doctors, nurses and medical assistants who should man those wards and other relevant functional aspects before operations commmence shortly.
Major General Sujeewa Senerath Yapa, General Officer Commanding, 14 Division, together with Brigadier Thushara Balasuriya, Chief Coordinating Officer of the Army Seva Vanitha Unit office, Colonel Yohan Fernando, Commandant at Seeduwa ICC and several officers were also present during the inspection visit.
