Theripeha residents complained that the hospital in the area had been closed due to the lack of a physician for nearly three weeks. The Theripeha Hospital provides services to nearly 5,000 residents in 14 Grama Niladhari divisions in the locality.
They said that the doctor of the hospital had taken leave for further studies, but a no one had yet been appointed in her place. They added that there were six staff members in the hospital, but that they were idling as there was no doctor.
Residents said that the other nearest hospital was the Nildandahinna Hospital, which was 16km away. Since transportation facilities were poor, patients faced inconveniences whenever they needed to obtain medication, even for a simple ailment. They said that they had to take patients to the hospital at night, paying Rs.1,500 as three-wheeler fares.
Queried by the media, Nuwara Eliya District Health Services Director Dr. Senaka Thalagala said that although another doctor had been appointed in place of the doctor who went for further studies, he had not reported for duty yet. He added that two doctors would soon be appointed to the Theripeha Hospital.
Add new comment