Sri Lanka’s President praises charity for opening free hospital
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe praised an Indian charity, Sathya Sai Sanjeevani, for opening a charitable super-speciality hospital in the country's eastern region of Batticaloa, saying the organisation has exhibited the true meaning of brotherhood during these challenging times.
Sri Sathya Sai Sanjeevani Super Speciality Hospital, a 75-bed free hospital, opened on Tuesday in Batticaloa, a region in the east of the island of Sri Lanka that has faced years of civil war and has sheltered more than 30,000 war widows, according to the spiritual leader Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai.
In his message to the Foundation, Wickremesinghe said the services provided by this foundation, completely free of cost, stands out even more so in the context of the economic turbulence we are facing at present in our country. He said that Sai Sanjeevani India exhibited the true meaning of brotherhood during these challenging times by establishing the hospital. Since its inception in 2017, the foundation has treated over 16,000 outpatient patients. The services rendered are inspiring and the vision for the future healthcare mission with this specialised hospital is truly special, he said.
The island nation of Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis that has resulted in a shortage of essential life-saving drugs, common antibiotics, and paediatric care, among others.
The Sai Global Federation of Foundations, led by Madhusudan Sai, has extended support through its member-foundation in Sri Lanka - Sri Sathya Sai Karuna Nilayam Foundation.
The Foundation, which was founded in 2016, has served more than 16,000 rural patients in Sri Lanka until date through its Sri Sathya Sai Karunalayam Medical Centre, which was inaugurated in the year 2017, according to a press release.
This is the first time in the history of Sri Lankan healthcare when a specialist hospital is free of cost, according to Madhusudan Sai.
The message of fraternity, love and brotherhood is universal. When a family member needs help, the whole family comes together to help. He said that we are doing this now.
The hospital's inauguration was presided over by the Guest of Honour Aravinda de Silva, former Sri Lankan international cricketer and captain, and was attended by officials from the government and the diplomatic community of Sri Lanka, members of medical fraternity and armed forces.
The hospital will begin its operations by conducting free pediatric cardiac care surgeries and interventions in the next few days, the release said.
The hospital will expand in phases to conduct various healthcare missions across specialties, with the support of international partners across 33 countries, according to the release.