The Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) at Walasmulla Base Hospital faced devastation from a lightning strike during heavy rains on Friday (10). The strike not only destroyed all electrical equipment but also caused fire damage to the building, rendering the unit unusable. Fortunately, three patients receiving treatment during the incident were unharmed, although hospital staff had to swiftly evacuate them amidst the chaos caused by the fire.
Following the incident, Agriculture and Plantation Industries Minister Mahinda Amaraweera personally inspected the hospital to assess the extent of the damage on Saturday (11). Initial estimates suggest the damage caused by the lightning strike amounts to approximately Rs. 50 million. Minister Amaraweera also discussed plans for the renovation of the ETU with Southern Province Governor Lakshman Yapa Abeywardena, ensuring necessary financial support for the reconstruction efforts.
The lightning-induced destruction highlights the vulnerability of crucial medical facilities to natural disasters. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of disaster preparedness and the need for robust infrastructure resilience in healthcare settings. Efforts are underway to restore the ETU at Walasmulla Base Hospital to ensure continued access to emergency medical services for the local community.