Navy improves facilities at Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital to treat COVID-19 patients

In light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation, Sri Lanka Navy stepped into improve facilities of the Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital to treat COVID-19 patients in a safe and effective manner. Accordingly, the facilities and equipment improvised under Navy’s patronage were officially handed over to the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital which has been declared as a hospital to treat suspected COVID – 19 pregnant mothers on 15^th April 2020.

Under the direct supervision of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, the Navy has implemented several programmes to control the spread of novel coronavirus in the country as of now. Going by these initiatives, the Navy has volunteered to increase facilities of the healthcare workers who have been doing a praiseworthy job even risking their own lives.

As part of a wide range of projects conducted at the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, using naval technology; construction of a building for patient admission and external sample testing, installing a camera system to treat patients while maintaining social distance, donation of a remote-controlled smart appliance called ‘Medi Mate’ to treat patent, installation of a disinfection chamber, construction of a high temperature chamber for sterilization of equipment and clothing used to treat patients infected with the virus, establishment of an infrared system in two premises of the hospital for sterilizing the areas travelled by patients and developing an electronic monitoring system for hospital elevators were successfully set up and installed by Sri Lanka Navy.

Even if most of these facilities and equipment are currently in operation, the facilities were officially handed over for the use of Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital by Minister - Women’s and Children’s Affairs & Social Security, Health and Indigenous Medicine, Hon. Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and Commander of the Navy on 15th April 2020. The occasion was also attended by President of Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital, consultant physicians, healthcare staffers and a group of senior naval officers.

Speaking on this occasion, the Hon. Minister of Health and Indigenous Medicine expressed her gratitude to the Sri Lanka Navy for playing a key role in in curbing the spread of novel coronavirus within the country. Further, the Navy’s magnanimous efforts in this need of hour were also highly appreciated by the doctors and healthcare staffers present on this occasion.

While strengthening the coordinated efforts of the government which are in place to arrest the spread of the new coronavirus in the country, Sri Lanka Navy will continue extend their maximum support to ward off the threat of COVID-19 from the island.