Project Peds: Sri Lanka Tsunami Relief

MGH is a government-run acute care facility that is currently -under-resourced andshort on medical supplies, cash for daily operations and doctors and nurses. The current pediatric ward consists of a general open ward with only 60 beds. To accommodate the daily overflow of patients, sick children are often found lying on mats placed on the hospital floor. The ward has no isolation unit for infectious diseases. Daily, 10-15 sick children are turned away and are forced to ride a public bus two hours to the next closest hospital.

Construction of a new three-story pediatric ward

• Increase capacity to at least 100 beds in 2 general wards
• Create Isolation Unit (5 beds); Diarrhea Unit (5 beds); Pediatric ICU (15 beds)
• Refurbish Neonatal ICU and Special Care Baby Unit
• Create State-of-the-Art Teaching Facility with Library and Modern Conference Rooms

Provide standard of care medical equipment, drugs, and consumables

• Supply ventilators, monitors, incubators, and nebulizers
• Supply current medical drug therapy including 3rd generation
• Supply IV cannulas, foley catheters, and spacers/inhalers

MGH Rehabilitation – Why Matara?

Current Structural and Healthcare Deficits

• Severe Overcrowding: MGH pediatric ward of 60 beds attempts to service 1 million children
• Unsanitary conditions: MGH lacks isolation units
• Lack of Accessible Alternatives: 5000 sick children/year turned away due to capacity problems and sub-standard medical resources

Strategic Location that will optimize regional healthcare

• MGH is far enough inland to be protected from direct damage from future tsunamis
• MGH is accessible by all major roads and highways
• Sri Lankan College of Pediatricians has stated that a properly equipped and staffed MGH could have saved thousands of children who suffered tsunami-related injuries

Educational/Strategic Partnership with the Sri Lankan Government

• MGH is a teaching/acute-care hospital in an urban setting
• MGH is and will be managed by the Sri Lankan Ministry of health
• Sri Lankan Ministry of Health is drafting a Master Plan to completely revamp health care services in Matara and may develop a new and modern MGH

Economic Revitalization

• MGH will provide job opportunities and professional training
• MGH will increase local commerce and stimulate regional economy

Collaborative International Support

• MGH is being redeveloped by an international effort, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the Italian Civil Protection Department (ICPD)