Facelift for Jaffna Teaching Hospital

Pears, the most experienced baby toiletries brand in Sri Lanka, handed over the renovated and refurbished Paediatric Wards of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital to medical authorities recently. The renovation was carried out as the 17th project under the Unilever – Pears ‘Safe Hands’ CSR initiative.

Due to the conflict situation in the peninsula especially during the last few years, the hospital had been in poor condition. Under the ‘Safe Hands’ CSR initiative, Pears channelled more than Rs. 7 million to restore the Paediatric Wards of the Jaffna Teaching Hospital. In addition, the Diarrhoea Ward, the common areas and the children’s play areas were also renovated.    

Brand Manager for Pears Nadee Wickramasinghe said: “The Paediatric Wards of Jaffna Teaching Hospital were initially renovated under the ‘Safe Hands’ programme in 2003, but the infrastructure deteriorated very badly as a result of the conflict situation that arose later. When we visited the hospital post-war, we discovered that the place needed a lot more attention than in the past and we infused the highest measure of resources and funds we have ever funnelled for a ‘Safe Hands’ project.”

The Pears ‘Safe Hands’ initiative that commenced on 1 October 2002, on World Children’s Day, aspires to create social wealth by improving facilities in the Maternity, Neonatal and Paediatric Wards of Government hospitals. The Pears ‘Safe Hands’ project is a self-funded CSR initiative. The fund is financed by channelling 25 cents from each Pears product that is sold.

Mayor of Jaffna Yogeshwari Patgunaraja, who was present at the ceremony, emphasised the important role the private sector can play through such philanthropic gestures and become partners in rebuilding the nation.

Dr. Deepthi Gallage, President, College of Paediatricians, commenting on the project said: “The post-war healthcare needs of the North Eastern Provinces are innumerable and considering the heavy development needs of the areas, the Government cannot practically address every requirement instantaneously.

Therefore, social wealth creation initiatives by companies such as Unilever are acknowledged with gratitude. The ‘Safe Hands’ initiative is an excellent example of how the private and public sectors can work cohesively to generate greater social value for our people.”

The first ‘Safe Hands’ project was carried out by refurbishing and renovating the Emergency Treatment and Nebulisation Unit of Lady Ridgeway hospital. During the past 10 years 16 ‘Safe Hands’ projects have been conducted in Government hospitals situated in rural areas, as well as special tsunami rehabilitation projects in the Southern Province with a contribution of Rs. 32 million, reaching out to more than two million people across the country.