I am 71 years and, until recently, I had never been an in-patient at any medical institution in my entire life. But last month, during a trip to Trincomalee organised by my church, I was forced to go to a hospital. To my pleasant surprise, my brief stay there turned out be a heart-warming experience, apart from my illness.
On the way to Trinco, our holiday party stopped at Sigiriya. I was suddenly taken ill at the foot of the Sigiriya Rock. I experienced severe nasal bleeding.
A three-wheel driver rushed me to the nearest rural hospital, at Kibissa, I believe. The hospital staff were most courteous and helpful. Unfortunately, they were not equipped to deal with my case, so they transferred me to the Dambulla Base Hospital.
I used to have a low opinion of government medical institutions, but my experience at the Sigiriya rural hospital and the Dambulla Base Hospital changed my opinion completely.
The doctor in charge at the Dambulla hospital wasted no time attending to me. My blood pressure was very high. I was kept under examination for well over two hours, during which time medical officers visited me every five minutes to check on my progress.
It was nice to be surrounded by young, pleasant-looking medical personnel, including the V.P., Dr. Zarook Sahabdeen. I was greatly impressed by their dedication to duty. The wards were clean and not congested. I had a comfortable bed with a mosquito net.
I hope that every government hospital in the country will emulate the standards of service and hygiene found at the Dambulla Base Hospital.
Thanks to the excellent medical attention I received, my blood pressure was back to normal the next day, and I was able to rejoin the rest of the party at Trincomalee.
I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude to the medical staff at both the Kibissa hospital and Dambulla Base Hospital.
David
Williams, Kotagala |
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