UNICEF funds refurbishment of Muttur Children's ward

[TamilNet, Saturday, 12 March 2005, 01:07 GMT]
Mr.Ted Chaiban, UNICEF resident representative in Sri Lanka, Thursday declared open the refurbished children'd ward in the Muttur district hospital which caters about sixty five thousand people in forty two (village level) Grama Niladhari divisions. Muttur is the third densely populated division in the Trincomalee district, after Trincomalee Town and Gravets, and Kinniya division, sources said.


Mr.Ted Chaiban admitting the first child to refurbished ward.

Mr. Chaiban admitted the first child to the newly opened children ward.

The children's ward was functioning in an old building for the last twenty-five years without any maintenance work. The floor and sanitation facilities were in poor condition. The entrance hall to the the ward was without any window panels. The isolation room required major repairs before it could be used, sources said.

On a request from district health authorities UNICEF provided fund to refurbish the children's ward. All required repairs were completed and additionaly facilities including four beds, better sanitation facilities to children and disinfection ward were provided with UNICEF's support.

Isolation room is now being used

As the only hospital in the division that has in-ward facilities separately for children, refurbishment of this ward is a solid investment for better service provision. The staff is motivated to provide better services, said UNICEF in a press release.

(L-R) Ms Elroy, Mr. Chaiban and Dr.Gnanagunalan listen while Muttur hospital DMO Dr.Shukri speaking

Mr.Ted Chaiban opening the ward. Dr.Gnanagunalan (L) and Ms Gabriela Elroy (R)

Muttur District Medical Officer Dr.Shukri received Mr. Chaiban when he arrived at the institution Thursday morning. UNICEF Trincomalee head delegate Ms Gabriella Elroy accompanied him.

Provincial Health Department official Dr.E.G.Gnanagunalan and several officials participated in the event.