ACT Lanka now has access to hospitals Cheddikulam and Menik Farm. After three deliveries to Padaviya (transit hospital) and Vavuniya (regional hospital) is now able to provide relief directly to the camps. The need of Sri Lankan war survivors right now is urgent and we hope you can help us make the most of this access. The proposal is now available (PDF).
Next Tuesday Professor Sheriffdeen and a team are visiting the area to see what is needed. They will be taking one lorry worth of medical items, including four surge modules. Surge modules are kits which provide the basics for 10 doctors to operate on 2,000 patients.
Meanwhile we are urgently raising funds and procuring needed items based on the list in the attached proposal. Pending the needs assessment we will procure more and could use your support. Anyone in Sri Lanka can make a donation at any NDB branch and anyone internationally can make a wire transfer. There are more details on our Donate page.
This access is rare and we hope to make the most of it. The Phase 1, Part 3 proposal is attached below:
These are the inventories of goods delivered to Vavuniya and Padaviya. These are inventoried and checked by the receiving doctors at each hospital. You can see the same in the Padaviya video above.
On arrival at Vavuniya Hospital, it was found that there were 2000 patients. According to the doctor they are equipped to handle 400 patients. The number of doctors has increased to eighty at present. The hospital was expecting 1000 additional patients the same night. To create space for the new arrivals, they needed to discharge around 850 patients. When patients are discharged, they are reluctant to leave the hospital premises. In this confusion the doctors are not sure who the discharged patients are.
The hospital is so overcrowded, that wherever possible; the wards are being expanded. There is a new section that is being built at present but will take some time to complete. There are people in every bit of space they can find along the sides of the corridors leading to the wards, even on the retention walls of the drains.
The wards that were visited seemed orderly despite the mayhem. An additional pediatric ward has been created, for malnourished kids. Malnourishment is rife amongst adults and children alike. Most of the patients are suffering from pneumonia according to the doctor.
The two contagious diseases that are being dealt with are Chickenpox and Hepatitis A. These patients are together in a separate section due to lack of space. The patients with Chickenpox are contracting Hepatitis A, and vice-versa.
Their stores seemed to have only about, quarter of the space occupied by medicines on arrival. However, after the ACT delivery the rest of the space was utilised. This included the mattresses, linen, pillows, milk food, cereals etc.
The doctor was very happy with the ‘ACT members’, personal contribution of chocolates and coffee, to be shared by all the doctors. Unfortunately they don’t seem to have a common room at their disposal, for their breaks (if they do have time for it!). The present ‘common room’, seems to be a demarcated lobby area, where there is a couch for them to get some rest! Therefore, it was a great ‘thank you’, for the remarkable job being done, under stressful conditions.
Above is the video documentation of the trip and below is a photo gallery. This is of Padaviya, Vavuniya documentation will be added shortly.
ACT members present
Govindha Tidball
Indi Samarajiva
Simon Wijegooneratne
Thamara Spitzner
Accompanied by 2 lorry loads, 2 drivers including 1 Supervisor provided by the Medical Supplies Division, Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka.
Contact person Padaviya District Hospital
Dr. Mahinda Uyangoda
District Medical Officer
General
The two ACT teams traveling to Vavuniya and Padaviya Hospitals separated at Medawachchiya check point. The lorries were thoroughly checked for approximately two and a half hours following which the teams went their separate ways.
Upon arrival the general atmosphere of the hospital was very quite; there were no persons/families settled outside nor were there any new patients being brought in. Very evident was the large stock of government provided medicine boxes piled up in the corridors as well as ongoing construction work at the site.
Dr. Uyangoda was available in his office and immediately requested staff to ready the wards and army personnel to grant us permission to visit the factory where patients with minor injuries and their families had been settled. District Hospital staffs were requested to ready themselves to assist us with unloading the lorries.
Dr. Uyangoda welcomed us in to his office and gave us a general overview of the current situation at the hospital. He stated that things had drastically changed within the last two days; the government had provided large quantities of very basic medicines required and was upgrading the hospital through major renovations.
At present the hospital had 300 patients with the capacity to host another 100. In total 3 surgeons, 15 doctors, 60 nurses and 70 minor staff were based at the location.
Dr. Uyangoda was very pleased with the donation of medicines provided by Heart to Heart. He stated that Padaviya Hospital was currently overstocked with basic medicines in order to manage well but did not have anything extra to treat for example fungal skin conditions, the latest outbreak very apparent in children being Scabies.
Examining the inventories Dr. Uyangoda decided on sending excess toys and clothes to the factory where the need was more apparent. He was very particular about ensuring that each item inventoried was delivered especially with regard to expensive medical equipment. He was overjoyed to receive the ultrasound scanner (which they did not have), foldable as well as water mattresses which he said would be extremely useful for his patients. Concerning the large stock of milk he said there is a huge need for high energy food and drink at the factory where he would advise army personnel to distribute according to how they normally do.
2 lorry loads
The MOH drivers, Padaviya hospital nurses and ACT members unloaded the lorry. Dr. Uyangoda requested that the person in charge of medicines and inventories assists us. As a time consuming matter he suggested that the Heart to Heart medicines are checked at a later stage, he promised to sign and seal the list and fax ACT as well as MOH a copy of it. The majority of toys, all foldable mattresses and most of the milk powder were separated for the factory by which time permission was granted for us to visit.
Dr. Uyangoda suggested that we move on to visiting the wards while distributing toys.
Wards
Everything was in order and several beds had been made vacant at the time of visit as Padaviya hospital serves as a transfer hospital, once patients stabilize they are bussed out to make room for the next ones coming in. Roughly 20% of the patients that come in are in critical condition, the rest have minor wounds. At any given time Padaviya hosts 200 patients in addition another 100 local patients were on site. When IDP buses come in the total number will swell to around 500 patients. As soon as the patients stabilize they are sent across to one of five hospitals depending on the availability of space (GH Polonnaruwa, Dambulla Base Hospital, Kurunegala Teaching Hospital, Vavuniya Hospital or Mannar).
The toys were a huge hit with the children, the number one request among the toys that we had were for cars, even among the girls (many wanted to exchange an initial toy for a car if at all possible). In discussion with the ACT team it was recommended to send in toys again. The people really lit up when the box was opened. More importantly next time if possible toys that spark more social involvement and interaction among the children should be included i.e. cricket bats, soccer balls etc. space in the factory field for this type of activity was available and ongoing.
Factory
The factory though not so well maintained as the hospital had an almost full ward of females including a few new born babies. The general impression is that the level of hygiene is poor due to so many flies on the infants and very dirty toilets. Scabies was very apparent in many, Dr. Uyangoda pointed out many children with this skin condition. The men’s ward was rather empty upon our arrival they were all smiles. It was nice to see two of them enjoying a nice game of chess. Our visit at the factory was short as we had to get to Medawachchiya before 6.00p.m in time for road closure. We observed if could be said a lot of happiness amongst the children in the factory field engaged in a serious game of cricket. Therefore it is suggested that equipment for group activity is sent in the next delivery.
Dr. Uyangoda stated that he would be in touch with us about specific medicines, equipment and any other items required by the hospital. He sincerely together with the nurses thanked us for the gift items and our visit.
ACT hereby confirms that we are cleared for travel to Vavuniya and Padaviya Hospitals on Saturday 16th May.
Two ACT Teams will manage the delivery, each accompanying the lorries that will be packed by us. Items delivered will be listed and signed for by the District Medical Officer in each hospital.
We will stop collecting by this afternoon.
Please make sure all goods are delivered and inventoried by Thursday evening. To confirm your delivery, please contact inventory@actlanka.org.
Packing Team is same as before, please liaise with krishni@actlanka.org .
We will publish journey details, approved photos and a detailed inventory of donated items on our website, once delivery is complete.
Now is the time for last minute collection. Please contact toys@actlanka.org if you can donate toys before Friday.
All other purchasing is on schedule and within budget as per our assessment of the need. For details, please see www.actlanka.org .
Thank you once again, for your tremendous support.
ACT has collected a sizable amount of toys but we want to ensure that it is enough for no child to be left out. Our volunteer Annika has arranged for wholesale pricing from Bambino’s on Galle Road. You can contribute by either dropping of toys at the address below or contacting 0777 686 787 to arrange a donations.
Note that ACT is transporting toys in addition to urgent medical supplies because many children are affected and they need hope as well as medicines.
Soothers – Rs.400 per dozen, approx. Rs.33 per piece
For purchase of toys and soothers at above prices, they can visit Bambino (83, Galle Road, Bambalapitiya) and leave items there as it is a collection point. Or can contact me on 0777 686 787 to donate money for purchase.
ACT is requesting donations of toys, games and colouring items for displaced children in the Vavuniya and Padaviya Hospitals. Apart from the urgent medical needs, it is important to remember that there are many injured children here and they need to have some fun and distraction as well as medication.
If you have any clean used or new toys (or games, coloring books, stickers) please drop them off this week at the collection point below.
Collection Point (Mon-Fri, 9-5)
Radhika Philip/ACT
c/o Investor Access Asia
60, Fifth Lane
Colombo 3
Alternately, you can make a donation into any Sri Lanka NDB branch to the account below or via bank transfer from abroad. Please send a mail to accounts@actlanka.org with your name and donation number and that you’d like the amount allocated for toys.
Action & Care Trust
NDB Bank, Sri Lanka
Account No: 100001018418
SWIFT Code: NDBSLKLX
For any queries about the Toy Drive please contact toys@actlanka.org.
This need is not medically urgent these children need hope as well as healing. It’s a small thing, but a toy or a game can mean a lot to a child, especially one who’s seen significant trauma and has very little. We hope you can help.
Awaiting clearance, still stuck in airport. These are life-saving drugs and lives are being lost so as soon as we clear these goods, we will load them in army trucks and send them straight to Vavuniya and Padaviya Hospitals. We have the contact numbers and know the doctors on the other side who will confirm they received the shipment.
Goods Raised By ACT
We are spending considerable resources on medical equipment. These include everything from amputation saws to foetal heart-rate monitors. The list is based on the “Needs Assessment” by our Chairman.
Help Needed
Funding – we can furnish proposals for how we will spend the money and we will issue receipts. However, based on the “Need’, we really need the big corporates to donate something, anything.
Toys – We are presently debating whether we should spend on purchasing toys when medicines are a priority. Thus, some sort of “Toy Drive” that will raise old toys would be most useful. Bearing in mind the high number of kids under 10, of which at least 70% are under 5, toys can have a huge impact on easing their mental anguish. Annika from our Trust is the liaison on this, please contact her at toys@actlanka.org if you can help or mount a toy initiative of any sort.
Pillows – Once again an item that will increase comfort but not be justifiable in our budget. Not a single patient has a pillow. Can anyone manage this area?
Delivery – We hope to deliver on Sat May 16th (except for medicines that we pre-send). We will need more people to accompany us upto Madawachchiya (approx 20km from Anuradhapura). This is where we have to unload everything and reoad into army vehicles. This time we will have a lot more stuff and need more support on this. Let us know if you are available.
Packing Team – Stays the same, please be available on Friday night 15th May.
We will be in touch with more shortly. The ACT website www.actlanka.org will have more news.
ACT under the scope of rehabilitation will support the efforts in the North and East to set up psychosocial centers for the well being of children. ...
ACT worked closely with the Disaster Management Unit to assess the needs and supply urgent and essential medical supplies to the Kilinochchi & Pullmodia area hospitals. ...
http://www.heartsforharmony.ca/
Visit this site for details of the fundraiser organised by Hearts For Harmony of Canada for medical relief items for the Internally Displaced Persons. ...
We are proud to announce that Action & Care Trust received an award of recognition by the Directorate for IDP Healthcare through the Ministry of Healthcare & Nutrition on the 22nd of December 2009. ...
