Colombo, Sri Lanka, August 07th, 2024 – Rotary District 3220, encompassing Sri Lanka and the Maldives, proudly announces the launch of the “Rotary for Little Hearts” initiative. This ambitious project aims to raise US$1 million to expand paediatric cardiac care and intensive care services at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) in Colombo. The primary objective of this initiative is to ensure that every child in Sri Lanka has access to timely, compassionate, and world-class cardiac care, enabling them to lead healthy and fulfilling lives.
The Little Hearts Children’s Hospital project is focused on addressing critical gaps in paediatric cardiac care at LRH. This will involve several key initiatives such as increasing ICU capacity by expanding the number of ICU beds to meet international standards, and ensuring that critically ill children receive the care they need without delay. Enhancing surgical facilities by increasing the capacity for cardiac surgeries and interventions to provide timely treatment for children with heart disease. The hospital will also drastically reduce mortality rates by ensuring timely and adequate treatment for children with heart disease and critical illnesses, thereby reducing the infant mortality rate.
Speaking at the event District Governor 2024/2025 Sushena Ranatunga, District 3220, said, “Rotary International, is a global network of volunteers dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges, we are committed partners in this endeavour. The project is led by three Rotary Clubs in Sri Lanka – Rotary Clubs of Colombo Metropolitan, Colombo Fort, and Colombo West – each with a long-term engagement and relationship with LRH. Rotary thrives on partnerships, and the magnitude of this goal necessitates the support and collaboration of like-minded individuals and organisations. Today we are proud to officially launch our partnership with the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and the Sri Lanka College of Pediatricians and with the official launch of the Rotary for Little Hearts website we are actively seeking the public’s involvement in our mission to make a lasting impact on the critical care complex of Lady Ridgeway Hospital.”
Past President and Chair of the Rotary for Little Hearts project, Dinali Dandeniya, expressed her heartfelt commitment: “I am deeply honoured to spearhead our collective mission to achieve a monumental goal—raising US$1 million to save the lives of children born with congenital heart disease. For over a decade, the Rotary movement in Sri Lanka has partnered with the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) to address the urgent need for congenital heart surgeries. As someone born with congenital heart disease myself, this cause is profoundly personal to me. As Rotarians, we take immense pride in having facilitated over 350 successful congenital heart surgeries, providing lifesaving treatment to underprivileged children across Sri Lanka. Our initiatives have not only saved lives but also brought hope to countless families.
Dr Duminda Samarasinghe, President, the Sri Lanka College of Pediatricians and Consultant Cardiologist talked about the situation in Sri Lanka, “Congenital heart defects are common in Sri Lanka, with around 3,000-3,500 children born every year with these conditions. Of these, 1,400-1,600 require open-heart surgery and another 800 need catheter-based interventions. With timely and proper treatment using modern diagnostic, interventional, and surgical techniques, over 95% of these defects can be effectively treated, allowing children to reach adulthood without further complications. However, the cost of these surgeries, which can range from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 3 million, is a significant barrier for many families. with the completion of the Little Hearts, Lady Ridgeway Hospital’s Cardiac and Critical Care Complex will allow the hospital to provide timely treatment to our children in need.”
Speaking at the event Dr G. Wijesuriya, Director, of Lady Ridgeway Hospital said, “At Lady Ridgeway Hospital, our mission is to provide the best paediatric care for children in Sri Lanka. With guidance from the Ministry of Health and collaboration with donors like Rotary District 3220, we strive for high standards and continuous staff training. Rotary’s support, including the ‘Rotary for Little Hearts’ initiative, has been invaluable in enhancing our cardiac care services. Together, we aim to become South Asia’s leading children’s healthcare centre by 2025, providing timely and top-quality care.”
Mr Ranatunga further added, “Rotary District 3220 has stepped in to support and enable children to receive the surgeries they need, whether performed locally or, in the case of more complicated conditions like Tetralogy of Fallot, in India. Rotary Sri Lanka also sponsors the expenses of travel, hospitalisation, surgery, and accommodation for the child and one parent for a stay of 15-21 days in India. The children who benefit from these surgeries are chosen from a waiting list at LRH, and endorsed by the consultant medical team. Thus far, 100 children have benefited from this initiative in the last year alone. We hope with our support of helping LRH complete the Little Hearts Hospital, no child in Sri Lanka will be left behind without a heart surgery by 2025.”
Disease prevention and treatment is a key focus area of Rotary International. Rotary in Sri Lanka has a long history of working closely with the health sector for the benefit of the community. Past projects include the Polio Plus campaign, the establishment of the Association for the Prevention of Tuberculosis (CNAPT), and the Cancer Society. Other significant initiatives include setting up the Sri Lanka Anti-Narcotics Association (SLANA), the Mahamodera Maternity Hospital, and the first Human Heart Valve Tissue Bank in Sri Lanka at LRH.
Rotary brings together a global network of volunteers dedicated to tackling the world’s most pressing humanitarian challenges. With over 1.2 million members in more than 35,000 Rotary clubs worldwide, they are committed to improving lives at both the local and international levels. In Sri Lanka, Rotary strive to ensure that no child is left without the critical care they need. For more information on how you can support the “Rotary for Little Hearts” initiative, please contact us on 0777381333 or log on to https://rotary4littlehearts.org.
