In a bid to alleviate the growing strain on the country’s healthcare sector, Hayleys Group companies Alumex PLC and Mabroc Teas (Pvt) Ltd. have partnered to refurbish a ward at the Kiribathgoda Base Hospital, contributing both infrastructure and manpower to convert it into a fully-fledged COVID-19 high-dependency unit.

Completed in just 25 days, the new 24-bed isolation and intensive care facility for COVID-19 patients was inaugurated recently and officially handed over to hospital officials, with the aim to bolster existing emergency care capacity and facilities. The new unit has already provided vital medical care for over 100 patients to date.

Apart from the construction work, Alumex also ensured that the new ward was fitted with the specialised equipment required of a COVID-19 high dependency care unit; namely negative pressure systems, multi-para monitors and water filtration systems, among others. Each room has been outfitted with oxygen and vacuum lines, as well as curtained partitions and fabricated doors for patient isolation.

Additionally, intent on giving back in their own way to the healthcare heroes fighting in the frontlines of the pandemic, volunteers from Alumex’s own workforce pulled their weight on-ground in the renovation of the new facility.

“It is during trying times like these that there is a greater need for organisations to come together and support healthcare efforts within their communities,” said Pramuk Dediwela, Managing Director at Alumex. “Bed space and medical equipment are the need of the hour and together with our partner Mabroc Teas, we are humbled by the opportunity to ease this burden for the Kiribathgoda Base Hospital.”

Niran Ranatunge, Managing Director at Mabroc Teas said “The Kiribathgoda Base Hospital serves a large segment of the population in the district. We felt that we could best support this community by providing a fully equipped facility that would provide greater access to urgent care for high-risk patients suffering from COVID-19. We worked closely with Alumex throughout the operation, and were able to hand over the facility swiftly, through meticulous planning, teamwork, and tireless efforts from everyone involved.”