Restore Hope Project continues to support Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children

Hip preservation set donated by Tarana Foundation President Suranjani Wickremeratne (fourth from left), Tarana – Restore Hope Project Co-Chair Ann Amaratunga (sixth from left), and Charmarie Maelge of Tarana – Restore Hope Project, to LRH Director Dr. G. Wijesuriya (fifth from left) and Dr. Savithri Dharmarathne, with officials at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo – Pic by Ruwan Walpola 

The Restore Hope Project, under the auspices of the Tarana Foundation, reaffirmed its commitment to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children with a significant donation of medical equipment valued at Rs. 7.5 million. 

The donation ceremony took place on 23 July at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital Orthopaedic Unit Operating Theatre. The donation included a valuable Rs. 2 million from Heuschen & Schrouff Oriental Food in Holland. Erik Heringa and Angel Sivasakthinathan enthusiastically advocated on behalf of their H & S colleagues for donations, emphasising: “We are deeply grateful to the Tarana Foundation for their outstanding contributions to our beloved Sri Lanka. It has been a true privilege for Angel and me to contribute in this manner.”

Amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Restore Hope Project launched a dedicated effort to raise funds aimed at providing essential equipment for children across the island awaiting orthopaedic treatment. The project culminated in a virtual musical concert featuring Restore Hope brand ambassadors and volunteer musicians, successfully garnering support to address urgent healthcare needs. Since its inception, the project has facilitated multiple donations, including a previous contribution of Rs. 4.6 million worth of Orthopaedic Surgical and Medical Equipment in March 2022. Generous contributions from donors like Nalaka Weragoda and his friends, Roar Media, and Holy Family Convent Old Girls California branch have further bolstered the initiative, enabling critical advancements in paediatric orthopaedic care valuing over Rs. 15.8 million. Key donations included were Wipak Rotary Sealer, Nitric Oxide Tank, suture material and an Orthopaedic Trauma Power System. While the project facilitated direct donations, it also received legacy donations from generous donors such as from Dr. P.N. Fernando.

Tarana Foundation was set up as a charity focusing on supporting rural communities, mainly rural children with their needs. Tarana Foundation Chairperson and Restore Hope Project Co-Chair Suranjani Wickremeratne expressed gratitude to all donors for their unwavering support. “Every rupee collected has been utilised to directly benefit the children in need as the project is entirely managed by volunteers,” she affirmed. “We are committed to continuing our support for the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and enhancing the quality of life for children.”

Restore Hope Project Co-Chair Ann Amaratunga highlighted the ongoing efforts to meet emerging healthcare challenges. “Our journey has been marked by persistence and community spirit,” she remarked. “We urge continued support from the public and media to ensure timely access to medical interventions for all children in need.” Ann explained the lengthy road and perseverance to continue with the objective to reach the milestone of exceeding the original target of Rs. 22 million. She committed for the second phase target to facilitate the emerging and urgent needs of the Orthopaedic Surgery.  Ann reiterated: “This is not something that can be done individually and that everyone needs to help the hospital so that thousands of children can have corrective surgery at the correct time beating the waiting lists for a brighter future for them and their families.” She appealed to the media to carry the message across so that many others who wish to support can either make a donation to Tarana Foundation or directly provide the required equipment to the hospital.

The Lady Ridgeway Hospital, a cornerstone in paediatric healthcare, serves approximately 85,000 admissions and 645,000 outpatients annually. Director of the hospital Dr. G. Wijesuriya acknowledged the critical role played by the Restore Hope Project in advancing orthopaedic surgery capabilities. “Early intervention is crucial for these young patients,” he emphasised. “The support provided by the Tarana Foundation for over four years is instrumental in transforming lives.” Dr. Wijesuriya added that there are three orthopaedic surgeons in the hospital and some complex surgeries in the country are only performed at the Lady Ridgway Hospital. He concluded by saying that: “After these surgeries the children can walk like other children, play like other children, go to school like other children and they can lead a normal life like other children.” 

Dr. Dimuthu Tennakoon explained that this particular equipment is meant to carry out hip surgery due to birth conditions, infections and tumours. Further adding that this is the first time that Sri Lanka is having such equipment and enabling new surgery techniques. Even though the Sri Lankan doctors have performed such surgeries in other countries, lack of equipment have prevented them from doing so in Sri Lanka.    

Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe addressing the gathering appreciated the valuable donation. He said the motto of the orthopaedic surgeons is “Life is movement and movement is life, when there is no movement there is no life” and this equipment donated will make it possible for a large number of children to have mobility. He further encouraged the project to continue to do this service towards of the betterment of the children of this country. 

Participants at this event were Ann Amaratunga, Dr. G. Wijesuriya, Suranjani Wickremeratne, Dr. Dimuthu Tennakoon, and Dr. Sunil Wijesinghe.

Donations to support the Restore Hope Project can be made directly to the Tarana Foundation’s Children’s Hospital Fund at HNB A/C 003020850835.