Santhiveli hospital lacks staff, medicine

[TamilNet, Monday, 14 April 2003, 01:16 GMT]
The only hospital in Santhiveli village in Koralaipattu Pradhesya sabha, Batticaloa district, built in 1950, is struggling to provide services without any permanent doctor and without adequate supplies of medicines or medical equipment, sources said.

The hospital serves the residents in the villages of Morakottanchenai, Santhiveli, Kiran, Korakallimadu, Thihilivettai, Pulipaainthakal, Koravelli and Tharavai, many of whom live below poverty line.

To obtain treatment for illnesses other than common non-life threatening cases, the residents are forced to travel long distances and seek treatment in district hospitals like those in Valaichenai and Batticaloa town, residents said.

Residents complained that although they, together with the District development organizations, have appealed to the Ministry of Health, District Health Commissioners and Parliamentarians, several times there have been little effort thus far made by the Government officials to improve the conditions prevailing in the Santhiveli hospital.


Hospital building