A monthly update of the GTZ Jaffna Rehabilitation Project
May 1998
A Beacon Snuffed Out
The Moolai Co-operative Hospital
, an unique co-operative venture in the health sector was the first of
its kind in South East Asia to be managed by a co-operative society. Thus
it was regarded as a triumph for the co-operative movement. Driven by the
lack of medical facilities, a co-operative dispensary was first established
to provide medical facilities at a minimum cost.
As it grew in popularity, it blossomed into
a fully equipped hospital with 105 beds; extending its range of services
not only to Moolai but also to the entire peninsular.
Unfortunately the war in the North has had
its toll on this vital institution. The hospital buildings having been
damaged as a result of aerial bombing in 1990, further deteriorated and
was subsequently abandoned in 1995 when people started fleeing the area
as the security forces kept advancing towards Jaffna town.
Although it stands today destroyed and in
shambles; reconstruction work has commenced with British aid and is being
implemented through the GTZ. This 1.256 Million Rupee grant is being utilised
to repair buildings and for the provision of equipment and furniture in
order to provide urgent medical facilities.
According to Mr. Ratnasingham - president
of the Moolai Hospital, their first priority in the rehabilitation process
are the maternity wards and labour rooms. "If not expectant mothers have
to travel 16 kilometres to Jaffna for their maternity requirements".
Once this is restored to its former glory,
Moolai co-operative hospital will once again shine as a beacon of light,
providing medical facilities to the people of Valigamam West and Karainagar
& even to other parts of Jaffna.
A section of the dilapidated Moolai Co-operative
Hospital :
Buildings located on the Hospital Site
- Main Building
- Medical Superiintendent’s Office and Library.
- Medical officers’ Quarters
- Nurses Quarters
- Laboratory
- Wards (10 blocks with 105 beds)
- X-ray Block
- Operating Theatre
- Labour Room
- Power House
- Labourers’ Quarters
- Mortuary
- Canteen
Since the Geneva Convention gives it access to all victims of the conflict, the ICRC establishes and maintains contact with:
(a) Civilians who are arrested
(b) Combatants who are captured
(c) Wounded and the sick
The ICRC Central Tracing Agency helps trace persons whose families have no news of them or who have disappeared, thus giving them the much desired contact.
In addition to providing immediate relief measures, the ICRC conducts programmes on the basic rules of combat & the importance of humanitarian law, as well as creating awareness regarding land mines and advises on first aid for land mine casualties.
As it is committed to building capacity at the local level, the UNOPS works in partnership with government institutions, semi-government agencies and community based organisations. It sees itself as a catalyst in building up Community Based Organisations so that these CBOs would move to a point where it is in a better position to speak for the community as a whole.
Project implementation is carried out in partnership with international NGOs and use of local expertise as and when available. An UNHCR spokesperson considers it vital that there should be a co-ordinated effort amongst the various organisations working in Jaffna, in order to complement each other’s activity.
