Hemas Hospitals launches ’Deewara Diri Savi’ to support ailing fishing community

Hemas Hospitals recently launched the 'Deewara Diri Savi' mega donation drive to support and empower the fishing community along the Western coast of the country, whose livelihoods were gravely impacted by the marine destruction caused by the X-Press Pearl ship disaster.

Under 'Deewara Diri Savi', Hemas Hospitals will oversee the donation of complete dry ration packs to 818 families in the Wattala fishing community, who have now lost their sole source of income for survival and is undergoing extreme distress due to the implications caused by COVID-19 pandemic together with the fishing ban imposed due to the X-Press Pearl disaster. Further, Hemas Hospitals Wattala is also offering free OPD consultation services to these families to ensure that their wellbeing and access to healthcare is secure and continued during this period, the hospital company said in a media release.

"Our mission, values and corporate culture guide our actions as we strive hard to deliver on the promise of making healthful living happen to communities across the nation. 'Deewara Diri Savi' was founded upon this ethos as we care for, uplift and empower Sri Lanka's fishing community struggling to make ends meet due to the mass implications and destruction caused to our marine resources with the X-Press Pearl disaster. As a responsible healthcare leader, we will continue to invest our resources and take swift action in supporting this community who add so much to our economy as they transition through this deeply difficult, critical time," Hemas Hospitals and Laboratories Managing Director and President, Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Dr. Lakith Peiris stated.

The donation programme was coordinated with the support of the Rev. Fr. Ajith Kamal, Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Palliyawatta, who spearheaded the coordination on behalf of the fishing community in the Palliyawatta, Dikowita and Awarakotuwa areas. The programme was also joined by the Divisional Secretary Wattala, Ms. P. D. T. C.  Rajika, Medical Officer of Health Dr. Lalith Halambarachchige, PHI of Palliyawatta - Malith Edirisingha, Managing Director Hemas Hospitals & Laboratory Chain - Dr. Lakith Peiris along with several representatives from Hemas Hospitals. The event was conducted under the strict directives issued by the Ministry of Health and under the supervision of the region's Public Health Inspector.

Above: [From left] Hemas Hospitals Wattala Director/General Manager - Dr. Lasantha Karunasekera; Managing Director Hemas Hospitals & Laboratory Chain - Dr. Lakith Peiris; Rev. Fr. Ajith Kamal - Parish Priest of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church, Palliyawatta;  Medical Officer of Health - Dr. Lalith Halambarachchige; Divisional Secretary Wattala - Ms. P. D. T. C.  Rajika and PHI of Palliyawatta - Malith Edirisingha.