Japanese funds to improve Jaffna Teaching Hospital in Northern Sri Lanka

The Sri Lankan government has received a grant of nearly three billion rupees from the Government of Japan to develop the Jaffna Teaching Hospital (JTH).

The Sri Lankan government and Japan Friday (25) signed a MoU for a grant of 2.877 billion rupees as financial assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the development project, expected to be completed within 21 months.

Secretary of Health Ministry Dr. Ravindra Ruberu and Director of the Hospital Development Project Singo Kuroda, representing the Japanese Government signed the agreement.
The project, identified as important under the "Uthuru Wasanthaya" accelerated development program for the North, will be implemented by the Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition.
The project plans to construct a new four-storied building with an area of 6,870 square meters, that houses a new operation theatre complex including incentive care units (ICUs) and central supply and Sterilizing Department (CSSD), a new laboratory complex, Radiological Diagnosis Department, Neurology and Cardiology Unit with the necessary equipment.
JTH is the only tertiary care institution in the Northern area which caters to a large population of about 650,000. It is overcrowded due to the lower-level medical facilities in the region having been destroyed by the internal conflict and is not functioning up to the need of the area.