The first state-of-the-art multi-disciplinary Child Psychiatric Unit in Sri Lanka, funded by SriLankan Cares, was declared open by First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH).
Making a commitment to the betterment of children, SriLankan Cares last year signed an MoU with the Ministry of Health and the Lady Ridgeway Hospital to upgrade and convert Ward Five of LRH, to a Child Psychiatric facility.
Nishantha Wickremasinghe, Chairman – SriLankan Airlines, said, “children are the rightful owners of our future, and they should be given every support and care, that they require to grow into driven citizens who will take this country forward. SriLankan Airlines has been involved in a number of child and youth empowerment programmes to support many deserving children in their education and healthcare needs. I am pleased to be a part of this worthy cause and SriLankan will continue to care for and support children through many empowerment initiatives.”
The project, which was estimated at a cost around nine million rupees, was funded by the SriLankan Cares Trust. The renovated Unit consists of a Therapeutic Unit, Consultation Rooms, Observations Rooms and Resident Patients’ Ward. After handing over the facility to the hospital management, SriLankan Cares will continue to monitor its maintenance and progress.
The first phase of the project focussed on renovating and developing Ward Five in order to provide sufficient healthcare services to the patients. The second phase focuses on implementing a development plan for national psychiatry services with awareness campaigns, media support and series of conferences, while contributing to the development of infrastructure and research and training.
