The Out-Patient Department (OPD) building of the Sri Lankan National Hospital has been handed over to Sri Lankan authorities yesterday (25).

The 08 storey building with 50,000 sq. metres, is the largest ever China-Aid project in Sri Lanka, is expected to be open to the public soon and would help the hospital’s daily handling capacity to 6,000 patients.Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka – Mr. Qi Zhenhong and Sri Lankan Minister of Health – Keheliya Rambukwella, representing the two sides, signed the handover documents and attended a ceremony in Colombo to celebrate the event.

Noting that the Chinese government has prioritized the health sector in the development of bilateral relations, ambassador Qi said China has provided medical supplies and vaccines to Sri Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic.Noting the opening of the China-Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital in Polonnaruwa, the largest specialized hospital on kidney diseases in South Asia, Qi said eight mobile labs gifted by China have been deployed last year to help detect chronic kidney disease in rural areas.

The ambassador also added that China has also provided emergency medicine supply to Sri Lanka, hoping China’s efforts could bring tangible benefits to front-line medical workers and patients.Appreciating China’s long-term support, Rambukwella said that the outpatient building is a considerable and really needed project for the country’s health sector, and he is sure that medical professionals in the country will make the best use of it for the people, who will benefit immensely.