Sunday Times 2
Qatar Charity donates drugs and medical equipment
View(s):The Qatar Charity in Sri Lanka signed a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of health and donated Rs 120 million worth of drugs for cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
Qatar Charity in Sri Lanka handed over the medicine to the public hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health. Large quantities of medicines were related to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.
The Minister of Health, Sri Lanka, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, participated in the medicine supply ceremony held in Colombo. High ranking officials of the Ministry of Health including Secretary Dr. P.G. Mahipala, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, and representatives of the Ministry of Public Security and Director General of Non-Governmental Organization Secretariat, Mr. Sanjeewa Wimalagunarathna.
The Director of the Sri Lanka Office of Qatar Charity Mr. Mahmoud Abu Khalifa, noted the importance of implementing the project in light of the crisis that the Ministry of Health is suffering from in the supply of medicines and health services. According to him the project contributes to improving health services provided to patients. He pointed out that this project comes with a generous donation from the Qatari people to the Sri Lankan people to promote public health and consolidate the values of humanity.
The project was expected to benefit approximately 47,000 patients.
Health Minister Ramesh Pathirana addressing the ceremony held to hand over the medicine, thanked the Qatari people and the Qatar Charity Foundation and the Qatari Embassy for their donation and their contribution of important medicines. The minister pointed out that all hospitals and government primary health centers provide treatments and medicines free of charge to citizens in Sri Lanka, and during the economic crisis many donors contributed to supporting the Ministry of Health, including the State of Qatar.
The Minister of Health indicated that the country has begun to gradually recover from the economic crisis, and the Ministry still welcomes aid and donations for the benefit of patients.
Qatar Charity is also preparing to launch a health center for primary care in one of the marginalized areas which contributes to improving early screening services and preventive treatment for communicable and non-communicable diseases, giving special attention to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases.