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A much needed Neonatal Ventilator (Newport brand) worth Rs. 2.5 million was donated to the Castle Street Hospital for Women by the UK Association for Medical Aid to Sri Lanka, in collaboration with the Inner Wheel Club of Colombo West, on 8 February at the Castle Street Hospital for Women.
Castle Street Hospital for Women Director Dr. Gamini Seneviratne extended a warm welcome to everyone and thanked Medical Aid to Sri Lanka and Inner Wheel Club of Colombo West for the donation.
Inner Wheel Club of Colombo West President Kumudini Kulasinghe addressed the gathering and stated how pleased Inner Wheel Club of Colombo West was, to be donating this vital piece of medical equipment in partnership with Medical Aid to Sri Lanka in the UK. Inner Wheel Club of Colombo West is a member of the International Inner Wheel Movement which is one of the largest women’s service voluntary organisations in the world, helping people and extending a hand of friendship.
The President of the Inner Wheel Club of Colombo West said that when the club was informed of the requirement of the hospital of this expensive piece of medical equipment, they contacted Medical Aid to Sri Lanka in the UK. The Association readily agreed to this request. She said that the club greatly appreciated their generous donation and took this opportunity to thank Dr. Sunila Sarathchandra – Committee Member and Dr. Sarath Sarathchandra of Medical Aid to Sri Lanka in the UK, who were present to hand over the Neonatal Ventilator.
In addition to the Ventilator, the club donated a Pulse Oxymeter, stainless steel saline stands, folding beds and wheelchairs to the hospital.
Dr. Sunila Sarathchandra, Committee Member and Founder President of the Medical Aid to Sri Lanka in the UK, explained that the Association was founded in 1995 by a group of expatriate Sri Lankans who had the vision to help relieve sickness and disease in communities in Sri Lanka through the donations of equipment and the sharing of expertise. It is a registered charity in the UK. She also stated that with a mission to save lives and improve communities, the charity donates vital medical and surgical equipment to government hospitals in all corners of Sri Lanka. To date the charity has donated medical equipment to over 30 government hospitals in Sri Lanka to the value of over 400,000 Sterling Pounds.
Dr. Saman Kumara, Consultant Neonatologist of the Castle Street Hospital for women, gave a brief description of the use of the ventilator. He said that the ventilator is used when a baby cannot breathe on its own and by aiding the baby to breath, it saves a life. He also pointed out that we are donating life and not a ventilator. He appreciated the Inner Wheel Club’s donation of the pulse oxymeter which is used to measure the flow of Oxygen.
While thanking Medical Aid to Sri Lanka in the UK and Inner Wheel Club of Colombo West, Dr. Saman Kumara said that their ambition is to equip the NICU with the latest equipment and bring it to a standard of the hospitals in developed countries. He also said that by helping the hospital a baby who is born will in turn grow up to be a productive citizen of the country.
