The Gambirigaswewa Primary Medical Care Unit in Anuradhapura is at risk of closure due to the absence of a doctor, residents say.
The facility has two wards, a doctor’s official residence and other essential facilities. However, residents say there is currently no doctor serving at the facility and only one staff member remains on duty.
The only doctor who had been serving at the facility reportedly left about a month ago.
As a result, thousands of people from Gambirigaswewa, Palugollawa, Aluthgama and several surrounding villages are facing significant difficulties in accessing medical care.
Residents say they have to travel approximately 28 kilometres to the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital to obtain treatment. They also point out that travelling at night is particularly dangerous due to the threat of wild elephants in the area.
Residents have therefore urged the authorities to urgently assign a doctor to the Gambirigaswewa Primary Medical Care Unit so that clinics and other medical services can continue to be provided to the local community.
