Watawala Plantations PLC (WPL) announces the opening of its newly built, fully-equipped Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the Udugama Base Hospital in Galle District under the guidance of the Ministry of Health. The project, led by Watawala Plantations PLC and supported by Tata Communications Lanka Ltd, will launch to the public at an auspicious hour on Wednesday, 22nd December, 2021.
The five-bed Intensive Care Unit will benefit the communities living in Udugama, Neluwa, Thawalama, Nagoda, Yakkalamulla, Hiniduma and Nakiyadeniya areas, making this unit at the Udugama Base Hospital the premier Intensive Care Unit in the Galle District, second only to the Intensive Care Unit at Karapitiya Hospital. The project has been carried out at a total cost of 100 million rupees through the collaborative effort of Watawala Plantation Limited and Tata Communications Lanka Ltd.
Commenting on WPL’s latest contribution to the community, Sunshine Holdings Group Managing Director Vish Govindasamy said, “Since the onset of the pandemic, Watawala Plantations has supported the efforts of the government of Sri Lanka to ensure that critical healthcare is provided, especially to the most vulnerable. For us, the safety and wellbeing of people have always been key priorities and fueled our outreach initiatives to communities since the first wave of COVID-19.
“We are honoured to lend our support and augment the Intensive Care facilities at the Udugama Base Hospital into a five-bed facility which includes critical life-saving medical equipment through an investment of Rs. 100 million. WPL remains committed to strengthening Sri Lanka’s health system readiness, as a vital part of pandemic response for years to come.”
The Intensive Care Unit will be declared open to the public by the Galle District Parliamentarian, Dr Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Plantation Industries and Dr Keheliya Rambukwella, Minister of Health, Mr Vish Govindasamy, Group Managing Director of Sunshine Holdings, the officials of Watawala Plantation Company, and representatives of Tata Communications Lanka Ltd along many other distinguished guests are expected to attend the opening.
The powerful initiative was launched at a time when residents of the region were severely affected by the lack of intensive care at Udugama Base Hospital, prompting the donation following a request made by the hospital’s development committee.
The development of the new ICU was further supported by the Staff of the Udugama Hospital Committee, the health staff of the hospital and the Sri Lankan Army. All staff of the Udugama Base Hospital have also been trained in Intensive Care parallel to the construction of the unit. The construction of this Intensive Care Unit was carried out under the supervision of the Udugama Hospital Development Committee.