Under an agreement with the Ministry of Health, the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) together with the support of the German Red Cross (GRC) has undertaken to provide better and more efficient medical services in the Vavuniya District, by upgrading Cheddikulam hospital, according to the SLRCS.

It said that construction work had begun at the end of May 2009, with financial support of Rs. 83 million from the GRC and the Cheddikulam hospital now has a new operating theatre, an X-ray room and a laboratory. An extension to the already existing maternity ward, a new paediatric ward and a female surgical ward are under construction.

"The upgrading of this hospital with all facilities will not only help with the immediate needs of the IDPS currently in the area, but will also serve the long term health needs of the entire local community and is yet another facility of the Red Cross’s contribution to our health programme in the country," President of the SLRCS Jagath Abeysinghe said.

The German Red Cross also provided equipment for the entire hospital - including operating theatre equipment, blood bank equipment, 180 beds and bed side tables, and an X-ray machine - among others.

The GRC is also recruiting an anaesthesiologist and a physiotherapist as requested by the Ministry of Health. "This hospital is the main entry point for medical assistance for the IDPs that live in camps nearby. With our support we want to make sure that they can receive reasonably good medical treatment in case of need. Now, we hope that the Ministry of Health fulfils its part and brings in sufficient qualified medical staff," Country Coordinator of German Red Cross in Sri Lanka Andreas Lindner said.