The Lady Children’s Hospital In Sri Lanka(LRH)

The Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital was built in 1895 and was the first hospital institution, which catered only for children. It has remained so even today. The hospital was started by Lady Havelock and Lady Ridgeway, wives of two British Governors, and was founded on public contribution.

Lady Ridgeway Hospital being the only Children's Hospital in Sri Lanka serves as the national referral centre for pediatric care. This hospital has approximately 710 beds and is located in Colombo. It acts as a central referral point for children below 12 years of age from all over the country who need specialized treatment. It also serves as a local Children's Hospital for the very large population in and around Colombo city, particularly serving low and middle-income groups in the catchment area. In addition to this Radiology Department, Pathology Department and Anesthesiology Department headed by senior consultants provide assistance to in-patient units to provide a quality patient care.

The Out Patients Department of this hospital, which is opened for services round the clock, serves an average of nearly two thousand patients a day. In addition visiting consultants running clinics in sub specialties of ENT, Dermatology, Cardiology, Maxilla Facial, Child Psychiatry and Rheumatology & Rehabilitation provide tertiary care required for out patients.

In addition to this, daily clinics are conducted by the relevant Consultants in-charge of in patient units in the OPD to maintain a continuous link with patients discharged from their units. There is also an Emergency Treatment Unit and a Diarrhea Treatment Unit which operate in the OPD to improve quality of care for out patients.

In patient's section of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital is at present composed of six General Pediatric Medical Units, four Pediatric Surgical Units, Pediatric ENT Unit, Pediatric Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Unit, Child Psychiatry Unit, Intensive Care Unit and Special Care Baby Unit.

Dr. Wimal Jayantha Director / LRH      Contact Telephone No: Office : 01-691521

(source – Ministry of Health Information Bureau)

An extract from Dr Wimal Jayantha’s letter sent to Singithi Suva Surekuma Project  in acknowledgement of new medical equipment donated to LRH  in the presence of SCATS-Sri Lanka officials, Hon Minister for Health and Australian  High Commissioner to  Sri Lanka.(A list of donated equipment is printed on the LRH appeal Main page).

_Finally on behalf of the staff of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital, I wish to thank your orgsnisation and all others in Australia who have contributed to this important project with a view of improving child care services in Sri Lanka. _ Dr Wimal Jayantha(The complete original letters of acknowledgements, cost of equipment and annual audited financial reports are available  for inspection on request)                                                                      Help Singithi Suva Surekuma 2003 project to  improve the pediatric care services  in Sri Lanka. A  small donation from every Sri Lankan family in overseas can make a big difference in  cherished motherland Sri Lanka. Details of how to donate and contact details for this project are available through the  LRH APPEAL main page.