India has extended a grant of LKR 600 million to Sri Lanka for the construction of a new Accident and Emergency (A&E) unit at the District General Hospital in Mannar.
The initiative is aimed at significantly improving emergency healthcare in the Northern Province.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed on 9 September by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha and Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media.
Sri Lanka’s Health Minister, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, was also present at the signing ceremony.
The project will see the construction of a two-storey emergency unit and the procurement of advanced medical equipment.
Officials say the facility will be crucial in addressing emergency cases during the “golden hour,” a critical period that can determine patient survival.
This initiative is part of India’s broader development partnership with Sri Lanka in the health sector.
Previous Indian-funded projects include the island-wide Suwa Seriya ‘1990’ ambulance service, medical aid during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the construction of a multi-specialty hospital in Dickoya.
India is also considering additional healthcare investments, including expansion of the Suwa Seriya service and a new medical ward complex at Mullaitivu.