India and Sri Lanka on Monday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under which New Delhi will provide state-of-the-art medical equipment to the Base Hospital in Deniyaya through a grant of LKR 600 million as part of India’s post-Cyclone Ditwah rehabilitation assistance.
The MoU was signed by India’s High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, and Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Health and Mass Media, in the presence of Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health and Mass Media.
Announcing the development on X, Jha said the grant would support climate-resilient healthcare by supplying advanced medical equipment to the hospital.
The assistance will strengthen critical facilities, including the Emergency Unit, Operating Theatres, High Dependency Unit (HDU) and the Special Care Baby Unit, while supporting the hospital’s relocation to a safer, disaster-resilient location.
Jha said the initiative forms part of India’s USD 450 million rehabilitation package for Sri Lanka’s recovery following Cyclone Ditwah and reflects New Delhi’s commitment to supporting a safe and resilient neighbourhood.
The latest assistance comes amid continued Indian support for Sri Lanka’s reconstruction and capacity-building efforts.
Last month, India handed over military equipment worth USD 5.5 million to the Sri Lankan Army for its United Nations peacekeeping deployment following a request from Colombo.
Earlier in April, India also supplied two Personal Watercraft (PWCs) and safety gear to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to strengthen its near-shore search and rescue capabilities. During the same month, New Delhi presented two BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri) cubes to Sri Lanka under the Aarogya Maitri initiative to enhance emergency medical response.
(IANS)
