Polonnaruwa Kidney Hospital explosion: Two damaged wards to reopen within two days

Two wards damaged by the recent explosion at the Polonnaruwa National Kidney Hospital could be reopened within the next two days, while the operating theatre complex and an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) are also expected to resume operations expeditiously, according to Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Anil Jasinghe.

The Health Secretary made these remarks following an inspection of the China–Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital in Polonnaruwa on Thursday (01), to assess the damage caused by the explosion.

During the visit, Dr. Jasinghe inspected the damaged hospital kitchen, the adjoining male and female ward complexes, the main operating theatre and the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

Following discussions with the hospital management and medical staff, instructions were issued to expedite minor repairs to the two damaged wards to facilitate the resumption of inpatient admissions. Steps were also discussed to restore operating theatre services as soon as possible.

Dr. Jasinghe noted that although blood transfusion services had resumed the day after the explosion, inpatient admissions to the hospital remain suspended.

However, dialysis services are continuing, while arrangements are being made to gradually restore other essential services, including surgeries.

Meanwhile, several technical teams are investigating the damage caused by the explosion, particularly to the hospital’s electrical circuits and medical gas systems.

The Health Secretary explained that while certain repairs could be undertaken by the hospital itself, others require specialised technical assistance, with relevant contracted institutions already involved in the restoration process.

He further revealed that, following recent discussions between the Minister of Health and the Chinese Ambassador, arrangements are being coordinated with the Department of External Resources to obtain assistance under the China Aid emergency relief mechanism.

According to Dr. Jasinghe, Chinese representatives have also expressed willingness to extend similar maintenance assistance to other hospitals constructed with Chinese funding in Sri Lanka.

The Health Secretary emphasised that investigations into the explosion, including those conducted by the Ministry of Health, will continue, while necessary measures are being taken to restore hospital operations and ensure the uninterrupted provision of essential medical services.