When the Kalubowila Teaching Hospital made an urgent appeal for oxygen regulators as the number of Covid-19 patients in their wards was increasing drastically, the Zonta Club II moved swiftly to help.
The project commenced on August 6 with an appeal to members to mobilise the Zonta network and contribute whatever they could.
The response was overwhelming. Within just three days, they had enough funds to purchase the oxygen flow metres for the Kalubowila hospital. In the first phase of the project, 20 oxygen flow meters each costing Rs 35,000 were donated on August 12 to the Kalubowila Hospital.
A portable Ventilator Flight 60 was donated on August 19. The total donation value amounted to Rs 2,900,000.
Phase II of the project which focused on helping the Ragama Hospital saw donations of a BIPAP ventilator.
The loss of a father or mother during a pandemic is traumatic and overwhelming. Statistics in Sri Lanka indicate a higher death rate of men, leaving the mother and wife hard-pressed to cope with the family left behind the less privileged who make up the larger segment of the infected are affected financially, physically and mentally, said President of Zonta Club 11, Manthri Perera.
The Emergency Healthcare Project was initiated by Dr. Asanthi Ratwatte and Druki Martenstyn with a support committee of Zontians - each contributing through their own areas of expertise - sourcing the equipment, raising funds and helping with the logistics.