Being the fast respondents against the Covid 19 crisis in the country, The Sri Lankan Association of Geneva (SLAG), based in Geneva, Switzerland, recently airlifted urgent medical needs to Sri Lanka. Members of the association initiated a collection of funds to support the response, and within one week, collected nearly 5000 Swiss Francs for the initiative.
To ensure that the required items are purchased, and equitable distribution is undertaken in Sri Lanka, the SLAG discussed the initiative with the President and Secretary of the Sri Lanka College of Internal Medicine (SLCIM), Consultant Physicians Dr Harsha Sathischandra and Dr Thushara Mathias.
As per guidance from medical authorities of Sri Lanka, 250 NHS-approved Pulse Oximeters were purchased and flown to Sri Lanka, which was collected by Dr Sathischandra and the team in Colombo last Tuesday. The SLCIM has developed a distribution plan for these instruments to cover the required areas in the country through its membership.
Some institutions, including the National Hospital in Colombo, have already received the oximeters. The SLAG appreciates the efforts and guidance of SLCIM in supporting this first phase of SLAG’s contribution. The SLAG thanks the Ambassador/Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, HE Chandraprema, and Deputy Dayani Mendis to facilitate the shipping of the instruments to Sri Lanka.
The SLAG is now working with the doctors in Sri Lanka and the Permanent Mission in Geneva for the second phase of SLAG’s work. They explore the possibility of sending oxygen concentrators and other medical items to support the Covid-19 response in Sri Lanka.
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