New surgical ward complex and accident ward opened at Ragama teaching hospital

A new surgical ward and an emergency unit at the Ragama Teaching hospital was declared open by Health Minister (Dr.) Rajitha Senaratne yesterday (Jan 14).

Seven operation theatres, an Intensive Care unit and a first aid unit along with six wards constitute the four-storeyed building which was constructed at a cost of Rs 1400 million. Eighty seven specialist doctors, 364 doctors and 830 nurses will serve in the hospital.

Practical sessions for the students of the Colombo North Medical Faculty will also be held at the newly constructed unit.

“The construction of the accident ward and the emergency unit at the Ragama Teaching hospital began 15 years ago” Minister Senaratne said at the opening ceremony.  He added that the project came to a halt in 2003 and 2006 and later came to a standstill in 2012 despite construction re-commencing in 2009.

He proceeded to explain that the construction of this building had resumed after he assumed office as Health Minister.

Speaking further, Minister Senaratne drew his attention towards media reports which referred to the purchase of a ‘linear accelerator’ purchased by the Health Ministry.

“The purchase of the machine was a mass-scale fraud under the previous government. The Health Ministry at that time had purchased an old machine under the pretext of purchasing a new machine” he charged.

“Although the new machine is supposed to be certified by a specialist doctor, it was only a normal employee at the ministry who certified the product” he added.

Further, he said that new machines will be imported this year from the company through which the linear accelerator was purchased. These machines could be used to treat cancer patients once it is imported into the country, the Minister added.

State Minister of Health Faizal Cassim, MP Chathura Senaratne, Health Secretary Wasantha Perera, Director General of Health Dr. Anil Jayasinghe, Health Ministry officials, Director of the Ragama Hospital Shelton Perera and several others graced the occasion.