The Army-established medical laboratory near the Negombo Hospital premises to check blood samples for Dengue, free of charge.

The lab has so far tested blood of more than 1500 patients, Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps (SLAMC) said on Thursday (6).

The Army with the support of Navy personnel with funds, provided by the Presidential Secretariat within a matter of a few days erected this makeshift laboratory to assist medical authorities at the Negombo Hospital as the number of of Dengue patients has dramatically increased in the areas.

President Maithripala Sirisena, during an unannounced visit he made recently to the Negombo Hospital, found that facilities for Dengue patients were not adequate and requested Army support for enhancement of laboratory and ward facilities. Promptly responding, Army and Navy Commanders quickly set up two extra wards in the premises and instructed Corps of Engineer Services (CES) and SLAMC troops to take necessary action and equip the wards with medical accessories, and other necessary facilities as soon as possible.

The opening of a separate laboratory took place immediately after construction of the two new wards.