Sri Lanka Red Cross Society Marks Inauguration of New Outpatient Department at Nainativu Divisional Hospital: A Landmark Achievement in Healthcare Access

Nainativu, Sri Lanka – The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society (SLRCS) proudly marks the official inauguration of the newly constructed Outpatient Department (OPD) at the Divisional Hospital in Nainativu, a significant milestone in its humanitarian mission to enhance healthcare accessibility for remote and underserved communities across Sri Lanka.

Launched in 2023, this vital healthcare initiative was spearheaded by the visionary leadership of Mr. Vasan Sivapiragasam and Mrs. Jesintha Sivapiragasam. Their commitment was further strengthened by the generous support of the Nainativu diaspora residing across Europe and North America including communities in Germany, Switzerland, France, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, England, and Canada. Their collective efforts and financial contributions played a pivotal role in transforming this essential project into a reality.

The successful completion of the OPD was achieved through the dedicated collaboration of key stakeholders:

• German Red Cross – Warendorf e.V Branch, whose trusted humanitarian partnership extended both financial and technical support;
• Sri Lanka Navy, which undertook the construction work free of charge, demonstrating an exceptional commitment to national service;
• Department of Buildings – Northern Province, which provided expert technical guidance and oversight to ensure adherence to construction standards and safety regulations.

Constructing a medical facility on an isolated island such as Nainativu posed considerable logistical and operational challenges. The Sri Lanka Red Cross Society – Jaffna Branch played an instrumental role in facilitating local coordination, ensuring steady progress, and maintaining effective stakeholder engagement on the ground.

Throughout the process, the SLRCS headquarters provided continuous oversight, facilitated logistical coordination, and supplied essential building materials to ensure the project’s successful implementation. This approach reflects the organization’s enduring commitment to operational excellence and its core humanitarian values.

The newly inaugurated OPD is designed to provide comprehensive outpatient care and includes an emergency department, primary care unit, vaccination room, dental unit, ECG unit, surgical unit, pharmacy, nurses’ lounge, and modern sanitation facilities. It is expected to significantly improve the quality and accessibility of essential healthcare services for the residents of Nainativu and nearby communities.

This accomplishment reaffirms the Sri Lanka Red Cross Society’s unwavering commitment to promoting equitable access to healthcare, strengthening community resilience, and delivering critical humanitarian services to the most marginalized and vulnerable populations throughout the country.