Greek floating hospital concludes its mission in Trinco

[TamilNet, Saturday, 26 March 2005, 17:26 GMT]
The Greek floating hospital OCEAN MONARCH that arrived in the east port and berthed in Ashraff Jetty since February 05, has completed its humanitarian mission in Trincomalee. About two thousand patients from Trincomalee, Batticaloa, Jaffna and Matale obtained treatment from the floating hospital. The vessel is to leave Trincomalee port on Monday morning, health sources said.

Greek Ambassador hands over an ambulance to Minister Nimal Sri pala de Silva while Minister Maithiripala Sirisena looks on

Greek Ambassador talks to Minister Mr.Nimal Sripala de Silva after donating a portable X-ray unit

Ministers Nimal Sripala de Silva and Maithirpala Sirisena with the Greek Ambassador on board Oceanic Monarch, Greek floating hospital

The seventy-member Greek medical team commenced its mission on February 12, with a week delay, under strict supervision of the Sri Lanka Navy which screened patients one by one before allowing treatment on board.

Floating hospital administration transported the patients from the Trincomalee general hospital by vehicle to the Ashraff Jetty where the SLN personnel checked every one. Only about 75 patients were allowed daily to enter the vessel, sources said.

Mr.Efstathios Lozos, Greece Ambassador in Sri Lanka at an event held on board Saturday afternoon donated a consignment of medicines and medical equipments and an ambulance to the Trincomalee general hospital.

Minister Mr.Nimal Sripala de Siva received the donation on behalf of the Trincomalee general hospital. Health ministry officials in Colombo and Trincomalee attended the event.

OCEAN MONARCH, a passenger vessel turned into a floating hospital, sailed from Greek port city Pirus straight to the Trincomalee port to provide medical service to the tsunami-affected people in the Trincomalee district.

The floating hospital comprised an operating theatre, fully equipped laboratory, X-Ray unit, Radiology Unit, and a Pathological unit. It brought 750 tones of medicine and an ambulance.

Greece Red Cross Society sent eleven-member team to serve during the stay in Trincomalee, sources said. The medical team included Surgeon, Gynaecologist, Psychiatrist and Pediatrician.

Mr. Economon is the Chief of the Humanitarian Mission and the head of the medical team is Dr. Manolis Anastesagis.

The Government of Greece, soon after the calamity of December 26 responded to the immediate needs of the people by dispatching military aircrafts transporting humanitarian aid.

Greece has also announced a medium term emergency development aid of 150,000 Euros.