Sri Lanka
Situation Report
On December 26, 2004, the most powerful earthquake in 40 years shook the Indian Ocean and created a tsunami that crashed ashore in nearly a dozen countries, drowning hundreds of thousands of people. The tsunami killed more than 40,000 people in Sri Lanka and destroyed homes, businesses and hospitals. Sri Lanka’s two major industries, tourism and fishing, were devastated.
Due to the mass population displacement following the tsunami and recurring ethnic conflicts, the vulnerability of people and rate of HIV and AIDS in Sri Lanka has increased. In addition, studies have shown a need for education on personal hygiene and community hygiene practices, including hand washing and waste disposal, in order to improve the health of children and their families.
Sri Lanka also has a weak emergency response system. The leading cause of death and the number one reason for hospital admission is trauma and injury. Many people also sustain secondary injuries during transport to hospitals and clinics because first responders are ill-equipped to care for them properly.
Our Work
We run several programs in Sri Lanka. Our work focuses on the development of a national pre-hospital and trauma care system, maternal and child health in rural communities, and refuge relief and support in the north.
Since December 2004, we have:
- Provided medical assistance, constructed temporary field hospitals and distributed medicines and medical supplies for tens of thousands of internally displaced people in the north and east regions of the country.
- Partnered with the Sri Lankan Trauma Secretariat to pilot the first ever pre-hospital care system in Sri Lanka. Our work involves training several thousand nationals in First Aid, developing First Responder and Emergency Medical Training courses and drafting regulations for ambulances.
- Partnered with the Ministry of Health and local agencies to deliver a community health project that is improving rural family health in the Ampara District (East Sri Lanka).
- Awarded grants to local agencies to support temporary shelter projects for 2,500 families.
- Rehabilitated and equipped the Siyambalanduwa Hospital in Monaragal District and renovated and equipped the Central Ministry of Health Dispensary in Tiriyai district.
- Shipped more than $25 million worth of pharmaceuticals, medical supplies and emergency medical services supplies through the Ministry of Health.
- Sent 64 Medical, EMS Teaching teams, and Dental teams.
Future Plans
This year, Medical Teams International plans to:
- Provide medical assistance for the internally displaced people in northern and eastern Sri Lanka in the Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts.
- Ensure that our Emergency Medical Services projects remain sustainable and supported by the local community. We plan to wrap up our funding of this project by the end of 2010. To view the CPR training video Medical Teams International developed to help train the local communities in Sri Lanka click here.
Our Partners
- As a major Sri Lankan partner, all of our medical projects and reconstruction efforts are coordinated through the Government of Sri Lanka / Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition. Medical Teams International has provided more than $26 million worth of pharmaceuticals to a free medicine program run by the Ministry of Health.
- The Sri Lanka Ministry of Provincial Councils and Local Governments has partnered with the Dutch government to improve the fire & rescue departments in 18 cities and villages in Sri Lanka. As part of this project, ambulances will be stationed at the Fire Brigades and will provide emergency care and transportation in the communities. Medical Teams International is supporting this critical infrastructure development project by providing the specialized pre-hospital care training (EMT) and providing technical support for the system.
- The Trauma Secretariat of Sri Lanka works to provide timely, appropriate, quality and cost-effective medical care to trauma victims. The government agency is currently working to implement a coordinated, responsive and sustainable trauma system.
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