India to send 25 tonnes of medicine to Sri Lanka

New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) With the Sri Lankan army's
offensive against LTTE almost over, India will send 25 tonnes
of medicines worth over Rs three crore to help the internally
displaced population in the northern parts of the island
nation.

"An Indian Air Force IL-76 aircraft carrying about 25
tonnes of medicines is scheduled to leave Delhi for Colombo on
May 22 (Friday). This will be disbursed among the sick,
wounded and internally displaced people in northern Sri
Lanka," Defence Ministry officials said here Monday.

In March this year, Indian Armed Forces had set up a
fully equipped 50-bed hospital close to a relief camp at
Pulmodai town on Sri Lanka’s northeastern coast.

During its presence there, the 60-member Indian medical
team, comprising specialists, surgeons and paediatricians, has
treated over 3,000 people mainly war wounded, trauma and
fractures, in the two months since the hospital came up.

The Sri Lankan government, officials said, has lauded the
humanitarian work done by the team of Indian army doctors in
the war-ravaged parts of the country.

After a request by Sri Lankan government, Indian armed
forces will soon shift the field hospital to Manik Farms
in Vavuniya to widen scope of the humanitarian assistance.

"A need was felt for including a gynaecologist in the
team of doctors but experts said since the field hospital
lacks specialized medical equipment and support staff, this
would not be feasible at the moment," officials said.

A lady Medical Officer present in the team was handling
women patients. PTI AJD