In response to an urgent request by the Presidential Task Force for Covid-19 control, the Royal College Old Boys’ East Coast Foundation (RCOBECF) based in New York in partnership with Sukumar & Ann Nagendran, donated Rs. 15 Million for the construction and furnishing of a 16-room/32-bed nurses quarters at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) in Sri Lanka. The need for this facility was triggered by the overwhelming demand for nursing care required to treat the large number of Covid-19 patients brought to the hospital from areas throughout the country. With accommodations available only 30 nurses at the existing facility, the hospital faced great difficulty in sustaining the essential work force. This limitation exacerbated by the potential transfer of the virus by these workers to their families; hence the urgent need to expand their accommodations at the hospital.
Due to the urgency of the project, a project team was established by the Sri Lanka Ports Authority (SLPA), led by its Chairman Rtd. General Daya Ratnayake. To fast-track the construction (In less than 3 weeks), the building was designed to be pre-fabricated. While the SLPA was responsible for design, contract management and supervision, construction services were provided by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). The entire project targeted for opening on May 8, 2020 (Vesak Day) will consist of 16 fully furnished bedrooms that provide 32 beds and adequate restroom facilities. In a statement released by the President of RCOBECF, Dr. Suku Nagendran stated:
“it is our privilege, on this holy day of Vesak, to donate this much-needed and fully furnished facility to the IDH. While we “New York Royalists” have left Sri Lanka for higher education and career advancement, our hearts are still with the motherland. We attribute our success abroad to our years of rigorous and free education in Sri Lanka, where we were taught the value of integrity, teamwork, tenacity, and unconditional service for the betterment of humanity. Since the formation of our Alumni Association in 1993, more than 27 years ago, we have been involved in charitable activities in both Sri Lanka and the United States, all with the goal of improving lives of those less fortunate. Covid 19 has pushed the global healthcare system to its limits. Sri Lanka’s rapid and thorough response has led to an impressive containment effort. The service of the doctors and nurses at IDH plays an important role within this multifaceted effort. Hence, the request to build this wing to house hospital staff was considered a critical need by our Alumni Foundation. We are happy to have worked with the dedicated team from the Sri Lanka Air Force, and the Ports Authority, who worked tirelessly day and night to make this a reality today. The encouragement and support of the Principal Royal College and the Royal College Union (RCU) are also acknowledged. Finally, to the doctors, nurses and healthcare workers of IDH, you are true heroes, and we salute you for putting your lives on the line to treat the vulnerable without any expectations! It is said that those who follow this principle are the happiest people, as is truly evident today. Although separated by oceans and continents, we are always here to help Sri Lanka and its people achieve greatness and become a safe and just society for all.”
RCOBEC Foundation is a 501(c) 3 Approved Public Non-profit Organization.
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