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Hemoglobal provides medical aid to thalassemia patients
in Sri Lanka. One of the benefits to working in Sri Lanka
is the universal health care system the government provides
to its population. This includes safe blood screening facilities
and other services vital to the care of thalassemia patients.
However, government funding is limited, and many patients
remain underserved and without the necessary treatment to
survive. In particular, clinics outside of the capital of
Colombo suffer from under-funding and lack of medical equipment.
Ninety percent of Sri Lanka's poor live in rural areas leaving
these people especially vulnerable and without basic medical
services. Among the poorest households, only 38 percent
have electricity, 55 percent sanitation, and 61 percent
access to safe drinking water. Patients are forced to travel
into regional centres to be treated, a significant cost
in terms of time and money. Hemoglobal is working to help
the underfunded regional clinics across Sri Lanka that require
immediate attention.
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| Thalassemia
in Sri Lanka |
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| Thalassemia
is prevalent throughout Sri Lanka. Hemoglobal is helping in
the following clinics in Sri Lanka at this time: Anuradhapura,
Badulla, Batticaloa, Chilaw, Colombo, Galle, Kurunegala, Polonnaruwa
and Ragama. |
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| The
Tamil conflict: Another factor that makes life for a thalassemia
patient in Sri Lanka more precarious is the Tamil conflict.
By some estimates over 64,000 lives have been lost during
the conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam
(LTTE) and the Sri Lankan government. An estimated 800,000
people have been displaced, and many well-qualified professionals
prefer to emigrate to foreign countries rather than risk the
safety of their families. The conflict has placed a drain
on government resources, leaving underserved populations without
the necessary health care they need to survive. Funds that
could be dedicated toward improving health care for Sri Lankans
are unfortunately being diverted to defence budgets and military
purposes. |
Tsunami : The tsunami of December 2004 devastated Sri Lanka's
eastern, southern and western coasts. Homes, schools, and
hospitals were but a few of the infrastructural casualties.
Some estimates suggest over 31,000 Sri Lankans were killed,
yet the psychological, social, and financial after effects
on families there are immeasurable. Amidst the rebuilding
efforts little additional aid is available to thalassemia
patients who require continual support in order to survive.
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| General Sri Lankan statistics taken from:
The World Bank: Sri Lanka Country Brief. July 2005. |
