India to reconstruct three tsunami hit hospitals

[TamilNet, Sunday, 27 February 2005, 17:48 GMT]
Indian Health Ministry officials led by Ms Bhavani Tyagarajan, Director General of Indian Health Service, Sunday morning visited Trincomalee general hospital and requested its Medical Superintendent Dr.Ms Gowshi Gnanagunalan to submit a concept paper on the reconstruction and development of the institution under the tsunami reconstruction programme. The Government of India has agreed to reconstruct three tsunami-affected hospitals including Trincomalee. The other two are Point Pedro base hospital in Jaffna district and Hambantota hospital in the south, Ms Bhavani Tyagarajan said later addressing a conference, sources said.

Ms Bhavani Tyagarajan of Indian health team visits Trincomalee general hospital

The Indian health team included Dr.Badrinath, Deputy General of Indian Health Services, Mmr.Sunjay Sudhir, First Secretary, Mr.Ashokumar, Chairman of the Hospital Services Consultancy Corporation and architects Messrs Khaitan and Majumdar, sources said.

Dr.Terrence de Silva, Sri Lanka's Deputy Director of Health Services accompanied the Indian team to Trincomalee.

The Indian team was shown the damaged caused to Trincomalee general hospital by tsunami. The children park in the hospital was washed away by tsunami waves, Indian team was told.

Medical Superintendent Ms Gnanagunalan, Provincial Deputy Director of Health Services Dr.S.Abraham, Regional Epidemiologist Dr.T.Thavakodirajah, Maternity and Child Care Medical Officer Dr.E.G.Gnanagunalan received the Indian team.

Trincomalee general hsopital

Collapsed boundary wall of the hospital

The Government Agent Mr.Gamini Rodrigo and Trincomalee district parliamentarian Mr.Jayantha Wijesekara also participated in the conference later held in the hospital auditorium where discussion was held regarding the proposed development of the Trincomalee general hospital.

Medical Superintendent Dr.Ms Gowshi Gnanagunalan told the Indian team that Trincomalee general hospital is functioning only in name but without resources needed for a general hospital.



Indian health ministry team in Trincomalee general hospital premises