COLOMBO : The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), with the generous support of the Government of Japan, has undertaken a vital initiative to improve maternal and child healthcare services in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka. This initiative, undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, aims to improve healthcare access and service delivery for pregnant mothers and infants in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mannar districts, ensuring improved access to quality care for pregnant mothers and infants.
On 12 February 2025 at the Kayts Medical Officer of Health (MOH) Clinic, Jaffna District, Northern Province H.E. Mr. Akio ISOMATA, Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, and Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA Representative, handed over 8 health facilities valued at LKR 34,089,250.70 in the Northern Province, the buildings of which had been renovated and to which necessary equipment had been provided by UNFPA with financial assistance from Japan. These facilities are the Maternity Wards in Vankalai Divisional Hospital (Mannar), Nanattan Divisional Hospital (Mannar), Vidathaltheevu Divisional Hospital (Mannar), the MOH Clinic and Hospital in Maruthankerny (Jaffna), the MOH Central Clinic in Kayts (Jaffna), the MOH Clinic in Chankanai (Jaffna), the health facilities of the Gramadaya Health Centers in Ananivilunthan Kiranchi and Paranthanaru (Kilinochchi). In addition to these eight facilities, the Government of Japan and the UNFPA have also been renovating the MOH Chankanai (Jaffna).
The key impacts of this initiative include enhanced quality of care in maternity wards, strengthened access to essential healthcare and strengthened rural healthcare services. The renovation of these nine facilities represent a crucial step toward strengthening healthcare infrastructure in underserved areas. With estimated 450 mothers and babies benefiting from Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services and information each month, this initiative is a step to ensure healthier pregnancies and safer deliveries in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
UNFPA, in partnership with the Government of Japan, remains committed to strengthening health systems and ensuring that all citizens have access to quality health services, especially maternal healthcare, in Sri Lanka, leaving no one behind.
