Background
The Lady Ridgeway hospital (LRH) for children in Borella which was established in 1895 is one of the largest, if not the largest, childcare's hospital in the world. The new office bearers for the year 2010 were appointed. Dr.Mahanama Rajamanthree, present director of LRH was officially appointed as the President. Following office bearers were also elected unanimously. Office bearers
Proposed by Seconded by
• Vice President Dr. Pyara Rathnayaka Dr.P. Punchihewa
Dr.Vijith Gunasekara (Deputy Director)
• Secretary Dr.Vindya Gunasekara Mrs.Kumudu Jayasinghe
Dr.P.Punchihewa
• Asst.Secretary Dr. Pyara Rathnayaka Sister Masachchi
Dr.Vindya Gunasekara
• Treasurer Dr.P. Punchihewa Dr.Athula Wijesundara
Dr.Kalyani Guruge
• Asst.Treasurer Dr.Vijith Gunasekara Sister Mohotti
Mr.Sisira Ranjan
• Fund Raising Manager Dr.P. Punchihewa Mrs.Swarnalatha
Mrs.Subo Liyanage
• Asst. Punchihewa Dr. Pyara Rathnayaka
Dr.Athula Wijesundara
• Editor Dr. Pyara Rathnayaka Mrs.David Jayarani
Dr.Jithangi Wanigasinghe
• Donation Coordinator Mr. Nishantha Sendanayaka Dr.Athula Wijesundara
Dr.Deepal Perera
Members of the Steering Committee representing each category
1. Dr. I.N.A.Gunarathna- Con.Radiologist
2. Dr. Ranjan Dias – Con.Paediatric Surgeon
3. Dr. Ama Weeratunga
4. Dr. Pyara Rathnayaka – Con.Neurologist
5. Dr.Savithri Kellapatha – MOIC- OPD
6. Dr.Indira Pathirana- Infection Control Unit
7. Administrative Officer – Mr. Dayasena
8. Sister Masachchi - CSSD
9. Sister Basnayaka – Wd 11
10. Nursing Officer Ms. Manel
11. Nursing Officer Ms.Punyasheeli – Wd 07
12. Chief MLT - Mr. Henry
13. Chief Pharmacist - Ms. Gunawardene
14. Chief Physiotherapist - Mr. Jaliya Uduwella
15. Chief Occupational Therapist - Mrs.Sujatha
16. Speech Therapist - Mrs.Ivon
17. Mahesh Basnayake- Office
18. Mrs.Kumudu Jayasinghe – Acct.Section
19. Head Overseer - Mr. Dissanayake
20. Mrs.David Jayarani - Attendant
21. Mrs.Swarnalatha - Labourer
22. Mr.Akram Labourer
23. Mr.Surendra- Labourer
Trustees
01. Prof.Sanath Lamabadusooriya – Consultant Paediatrician
02. Dr.B.J.C.Perera - Consultant Paediatrician
03. Mrs.Dilani Ganegodagamage – Legal Officer – Central Bank
Dr.Vijith Gunasekara Deputy President and Dr.Pushpa Punchihewa the Secretary of the organization highlighted the importance of prioritizing the needs to ensure appropriate allocation of the funds. It was suggested that it is also important to have a separate fund to provide financial support to individual patients in special circumstances and also there need to be specific criteria when allocating funds for these patients. There fore a special sub-committee was appointed to formulate these criteria. Dr.Pyara Rathnayaka -Consultant Paediatric Neurologist suggested that only a specified percentage of the funds should be allocated to support individual patients. In terms of fund allocation it was decided to focus attention on 4 main areas during the year 2010.
1. Purchasing an MRI machine
2. Purchasing a Haemo-dialysis machine
3. Renovation of the Out Patient Department
4. Financial support of individual patients
Following subcommittees were appointed to implement the above tasks.
1. Subcommittee for purchasing an MRI machine
• Dr.I.N.A.Gunarathne
• Dr.Kalyani Guruge
• Dr.Pushpa Punchihewa
• Dr.Jithangi Wanigasinghe
• Dr.Pyara Rathnayake
• Mrs.Subo Liyanage
• Chief Radiographer Mr.Shantha
2. Subcommittee for purchasing a Haemo-dialysis machine
• Dr.Vindya Gunasekare
• Dr.Deepal Perera
• Dr.Athula Wijesundare
• Matron Karunarathne
• Mr.Jaliya Uduwella
3. Subcommittee for renovation of the Out Patient Department
• Dr.Vijith Gunasekare
• Dr.Kalyani Guruge
• Dr.Pushpa Punchihewa
• Dr.Ama Weerathunga
• Dr.P.S.Yapa
• Dr.Dulani
• Mr.Sisira Ranjan
• Mr.G.A.Dayasene
• Chief Matron - Ms. S.Rathnayake
• Mrs.L.A.Gunawardene
• Mrs.Suboda
• Mrs.David Jayarani
• Mr.Nandana Jeerasinghe
• Sister OPD
4. Subcommittee to formulate criteria on fund allocation to individual patients
• Dr.Vijith Gunasekare
• Dr.Kalyani Guruge
• Dr.Pushpa Punchihewa
• Dr.Pyara Rathnayake
• Dr.Deepal Perera
• Mrs.Subo Liyanage
Today, it caters to the medical, surgical and mental needs of children of the entire island. it is also the main teaching center for undergraduate and post graduate pediatric medical education on the country. The LRH for child is a unique, distinctive and exceptional institution. It provides in ward services to over 68,000 children annually. it is the last hope of the suffering children of our l and. It needs money, a constant flow of it at that, to enable it to provide the care and attention that is the birthright for each and every child of this country. n
To cater to the increasing need of this majestic institution a lot of help from the general public, the media and the private institutions of our country is needed. Towards this end, an organization called the "Friends of Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children" was inaugurated. This Trust Fund administered by a committee is headed by the Director of the hospital. it is a non-profit making organization, which would be a utilized for the welfare of the children admitted to hospital. This is a clarion call for help. Helping the lady Ridgeway Hospital is a very deserving cause that would bring rich dividends in the future.
