President Opens Army-Built New Ward Complex for \'Dengue\' Patients at IDH
HE the President Maithripala Sirisena as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Hon Minister of Health, Dr Rajitha Senaratne Thursday (2) morning opened the Army-built new pre-fabricated building complex for Dengue patients at the Infectious Disease Hospital (IDH) premises at Gotatuwa, Angoda.
Following a special directive of the Commander of the Army, Security Force Headquarters – West (SFHQ-West), considering the need for more residential space for treatment of Dengue patients in this hospital for infectious diseases and also as a support to the National Drive for Eradication of Dengue, spent about Rs 7 million for the project which accommodates 37 new beds for patients.
The Army, in addition to the supply of metal beds, crafted at the Army Ordnance Factory at Dombagoda, pillows, mosquito nets, tables, accessories, etc, took steps to equip the ward with 4 extra washrooms and toilets, adjacent to the new ward complex itself.
SFHQ-West, commanded by Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe undertook the challenge of erecting this 100m x 20m ward complex within 10 days with the active support, extended by troops of 5 Sri Lanka Engineers, 1 Corps of Engineer Services and 9 Sri Lanka Light Infantry and the SFHQ-West under the guidance of the Commander of the Army.
This morning’s (2) opening ceremony saw HE the President Maithripala Sirisena on arrival at the venue was welcomed by Hon Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine in the company of Hon S.M Marikkar, Member of Parliament, Director of the Hospital and Major General Sudantha Ranasinghe, representing the Commander of the Army.
The day’s Chief Guest unveiled a plaque and walked into the new ward complex, and saw the unit for himself, together with several distinguished invitees accompanying him. President Sirisena afterwards symbolically admitted the first patient to the new ward and inaugurated its operation.
A gathering of invitees, medical staff, officers, local politicians and civilians were present at the occasion.
