Indian envoy visits Jaffna, discusses developing Pt.Pedro hospital

[TamilNet, Saturday, 26 February 2005, 14:39 GMT]
A delegation led by Ms Nirupama Rao, Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Saturday arrived in Palaly military air base Jaffna by a special aircraft and held discussions at the Point Pedro base hospital regarding its development with the funds allocated by the Government of India, health ministry sources said.

Ms Nirupama Rao was taken to Point Pedro military camp from Palaly by a special helicopter. Later she proceeded to Point Pedro Hospital by road with maximum security provided by the Sri Lanka Army (SLA). However members of her delegation were taken by land route from Palaly to Point Pedro escorted by the government soldiers, sources said.

Dr.C.Kathiravetpillai, District Medical Officer (DMO) of the hospital, Mr.C.Sinnathurai, Administrative Officer and Dr.E.Theivendran, Regional Director of Health Services in Jaffna district received the Indian delegation. Ms Nirupama Rao was briefed of the difficulties in running the hospital, sources said.

Only three medical officers are working in the hospital and 31 vacancies for medical officers currently exist. Acute shortage for paramedical staff and technical officers prevails in the institution, Indian envoy was told.

Ms Nirupama Rao said posting more medical officers and other employees is the responsibility of the Government of Sri Lanka. However the Government of India is prepared to provide funds for the construction of buildings and to buy medical equipments.

She added that her government is prepared to assist in reconstructing the hospitals in Hambantota, Trincomalee and Point Pedro affected by tsunami.

Dr. Kathiravetpillai said he would submit an estimate for the construction of new buildings and for other needs to the Indian High Commission on the request made by Ms Nirupama Rao, sources said.

Later Ms Nirupama Rao visited Vallipuram Aalvar Temple, Selva Sannithi Murugan Kovil and Point Pedro Sri Saratha Devi Sevashramam with SLA escort, sources said.