Health Minister Pavithra Wanniarachchi visited the Ragama Teaching Hospital yesterday (4) for an inspection tour of its Covid treatment.
Speaking to the media, she stated:
“There were videos on social media about the Covid Ward at Ragama recently. Following discussions with the Hospital Director, more wards will be assigned for the treatment of Covid patients. At a time of a global pandemic, the Government is dedicated to serve the people to the best of its ability”
Ragama full of Covid patients
There are more patients than the available number of beds in the designated wards, due to the Fourth Wave of Covid-19, as more than double the number arrive daily for treatment, stated Ragama Hospital Director Dr. Sampath Liyanage.
236 beds in 10 wards have already been set aside for Covid-19 patients. In addition, 114 beds in 3 wards at Kandana Hospital, and a 600-bed treatment centre at Seeduwa have also been allocated.
1,020 patients are at these centres and some patients are receiving oxygent treatment at Ragama Hospital while laying on the ground due to the lack of beds, he added. A 28-bed new Covid ward is to be established during this week, he further stated.
2 doctors, 10 nurses contract Covid
Surgeries, heart and kidney disease patients as well as maternity clinics are among the critical services conducted at Ragama Hospital, in addition to the treatment of Covid-19 patients pointed out the Hospital Director, while mentioning that 2 doctors and 10 nurses have contracted Covid-19 from among its staff.
Dead body in the middle of the ward
Patients meanwhile state that there are less facilities available due to the large numbers that arrive daily and that they have to receive treatment, at any available spot, while even sleeping on the floor.
A body of a deceased person was left in the middle of Ward 26 they further stated.
(Mirror)