LEADS Continues to Support MOH in Ongoing Battle against COVID-19

On 11 June 2021, LEADS handed over 8,000 FFP3 masks for the use of medical personnel to Dr. Kapila Wickramanayake – the Director of the Medical Supplies Division of the Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka. The donation was handed over by LEADS’ Chief Executive Officer – Mr. Monroe Jayasuriya and Manager of Resource Mobilisation – Mrs. Diordre Moraes, and was accepted by Dr. Wickramanayake and other ministry officials. LEADS facilitated the donation, valued over LKR 6.7 million, on behalf of P1F Limited, a long-standing partner of LEADS. The masks will be utilised by medical personnel and Ministry of Health officials who are at the frontlines in responding to the emergency situation that has arisen in the country as it experiences a third wave of the COVID-19 virus spread.

As at 14 June 2021, the National Epidemiological Report records 225,922 COVID-19 confirmed cases and 2,203 deaths. The country saw a surge in COVID-19 infections since 15 April and the state imposed travel restrictions in a measure to curb the further spread of the virus. The virus spread has resulted in hospitals, medical facilities and quarantine centres operating at maximum capacity and medical personnel and security forces responding to the crisis situation are among those at high-risk of contracting the virus.

The donation of 8,000 FFP3 masks is thereby hoped to contribute towards the much needed resources for healthcare workers and other essential workers of the Ministry of Health who are engaged in caring for those affected by the virus as well as carrying out vaccination drives and other preventive measures to safeguard the people of Sri Lanka.

LEADS continues to work closely with healthcare workers and local government officials across Sri Lanka, joining forces with state and non-state actors working towards curbing the spread of the virus in the country. As part of its response, LEADS is currently providing support to 12 hospitals across the country and is extending its support towards quarantine centres in Kandakadu and Ampara. LEADS is also providing 75 hygiene packs to quarantine centres, 25 PPE packs for frontline workers and 1,250 packs of dry rations for isolated and vulnerable families. Additionally, LEADS continues to support Child Development Centres (CDC) which are most affected by the prevailing situation. LEADS will provide these centres with 36 hygiene packs, support in the form of dry rations for 10 CDCs as well as psychosocial support for 15 CDCs and 60 probation officers who are working with the children receiving care at these centres.

LEADS extends its gratitude towards its partners, including the general public, for their generosity and support towards its ongoing interventions. It welcomes further support and contributions towards ongoing relief interventions which could be made online via www.leads.lk/donate. For further information or queries, write to us via info@leads.lk