The Government of India has approved a financial grant of 600 million rupees to upgrade the Mannar District General Hospital, including the construction of a state-of-the-art Accident and Emergency Unit and the provision of critical medical equipment, according to Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media, Nalinda Jayatissa.
Announcing the initiative on 3 February, Jayatissa highlighted the pressing need for improvements at the hospital, which currently faces significant challenges in its accident and emergency units, operating theatre, and male and female wards.
The planned development will include the construction of a modern four-storey building equipped with upgraded facilities such as an operating theatre, emergency treatment units, outpatient wards, and dedicated emergency care units.
“There are shortcomings in its accident and emergency units, operating theatre, men and women’s wards,” Jayatissa told reporters.
The Mannar District General Hospital, which has a 330-bed capacity, is the only tertiary care facility in the district, serving a population of approximately 160,000 people. It handles around 500-700 outpatient visits and admits 270 inpatients daily, highlighting the urgent need for expanded and modernised facilities.
The proposal for the hospital’s expansion was prepared by the Provincial Council under the guidance of the Northern Province Governor, P.S.M. Charles, and was submitted to the Indian High Commission in Colombo through Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health. Following India’s approval, the Sri Lankan Cabinet has also endorsed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two governments to proceed with the project.
India’s investment in the Mannar District General Hospital is the latest in a series of projects taking place across the Tamil homeland.
