Monday, October 16, 2006
Doctors of the World-USA successfully completes access to health care project in Sri Lanka
A mother and daughter receive health services
in Sri Lanka
in Sri Lanka
Tangalle, Sri Lanka–Doctors of the World – USA (DOW) announces the successful completion of its project to improve access to health care for tsunami affected populations in the southern district of Hambantota. Operations formally closed effective September 15, 2006.
DOW began operations in Sri Lanka in July 2005, under a project developed in partnership with the Sri Lankan Ministry of Healthcare, Nutrition, and Uwa Wellassa Development (MOH) and funded in large part by private donors in the USA. DOW activities focused on the rehabilitation and renovation of two rural hospitals in the Hambantota district serving tsunami-affected populations: Ranna Rural Hospital and Nakulugamuwa Hospital. The rehabilitation and upgrade of these hospitals has restored and improved health services to over 138,000 residents.
DOW also trained a corps of local volunteers to provide community-based health education and related services. A campaign on primary heatlh care, hygiene, and sanitation reached over 3,000 community members in twelve tsunami affected areas. A series of one-day community medical camps screened and treated hundreds of patients who had little access to hospitals or clinics.
All project components were done in accordance with a memorandum of understanding with the MOH. DOW completed the renovation of the hospitals at the end of August; plans for the equipping of the hospitals have been hampered, however, due to the current climate of unrest.
Safety of humanitarian workers. DOW is gravely concerned that organizations conducting health and development activities in partnership with the Sri Lankan people are being subject to harassment and targeted with false charges. NGOs in Sri Lanka face a general climate of suspicion, accusations, restrictions, and surveillance – in August of 2006, 17 Action Against Hunger (AAH) humanitarian aid workers were murdered. While in Sri Lanka, DOW was subject to repeated investigations and harassment, all in the absence of any charge or complaint. Currently, critical aid and development programs are in jeopardy, increasing the suffering of thousands of civilians, and aid workers fear for their lives. DOW has joined with the international community in its call for the guaranteed protection of all humanitarian workers and operations.
DOW Mission, Policy and Action. DOW is committed to ensuring sustainable access to health care for vulnerable populations. Our projects provide essential care and services, but, more importantly, focus resources on training and building the capacity of local actors to carry on the mission of health at the conclusion of our efforts. DOW operates in complete political neutrality. We do not engage in political activity and conduct our programs in complete transparency.