New Isolation Hospital, Improvised by Army Troops in Record Time Opened for Use

Fulfilling one more gigantic national task in a record time, Sri Lanka Army’s 1 Corps of Engineer Services (CES) troops on the directions of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army during this critical hour of our Nation, improvised the entire unattended former Voice of America building complex at Iranawila, Chilaw to be an isolation hospital and vested it with state authorities this afternoon (7).

The brief inaugural ceremony was attended by Mrs Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Health, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army who is also the Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak, Dr Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services, former Parliamentarians, local politicians and state officials.

This new improvised isolation hospital to treat COVID-19 patients, equipped with 40 beds is functional with robotic technology and auto pilot vehicles for safety of medical staff working in the hospital, scheduled to be manned by 14 doctors and 20 members of the medical staff where patients are to be confined to separate cubicles during therapeutic process.

Sponsored by Hemas Pvt Ltd and Atlas Company, these robots and sophisticated technical equipment through a special airlock system are capable to provide medicine, drinks and foods to patients, communication with patients via robot cameras, regulation of standard air condition system for patients and ensure avoidance of personal contacts and cross infections between medical staff and patients.

Minister of Health, Mrs Pavithra Wanniarachchi, flanked by other leaders in the fight against COVID-19 cut a ribbon and inaugurated the new isolation hospital before a brief religious ceremony to bless the project got underway in the location. A visit by the day's guests to the new wards followed afterwards.

Troops of the 1 Corps of Engineer Services (CES) under the close supervision of Lieutenant Colonel Asiri Muhandiramge, Commanding Officer, 1 CES completed the task of improvising and preparing the entire building to suit the emergency purpose in less than two weeks. The complex also has sanitary and cooking facilities, rest rooms, pantries, kitchen, etc and is equipped with a security system.

Earlier on 26 March, Hon Minister of Health. Mrs Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, Director General Health Services Dr Anil Jasinghe, together with several officials visited the location and decided to improvise it to be a new venue for isolation.

Towards the end of the day's programme, Hon Minister of Health and Lieutenant General Silva commended their efforts and expressed gratitude to all those who toiled day and night to make this project a success in such short span of time.

Senior Army and Police Officers, Provincial Council and Town Council authorities were among others who were present at the location.

Source: www.army.lk