A neglected service for years

Ayurvedic treatments and services are provided in numerous clinics in and around Colombo. However, with the intention of delivering them free of charge, the Colombo Municipal Council has established several clinics around Colombo for the convenience of patients. One of them is the Ayurveda clinic in Slave Island which is frequented by patients from not only Colombo-2 but from afar as well. Yet with time, the clinic has become an unhygienic place for patients as well as the staff who are unable to carry out their day-to-day activities.   

CMC Free Ayurveda Clinic – Slave Island   
The CMC Free Ayurveda clinic was established in the 1980s and had been a public toilet before being converted into a clinic. When the   visited the CMC Free Ayurveda clinic at Slave Island, the situation was quite unpleasant. Patients were queuing up to get tokens to see one of the three doctors present at the premises. With only limited space available to move around, it was often packed with patients and staff. The  learned that there was a rat issue in the area and added to that, these rats could be seen during the day as well as the night.   

The treatment room too was in poor condition with water dripping along the walls and several patches of algae developing on them. The DM learned that this water was leaking from the washrooms on the upper floor. Adding to this inconvenience, the residents upstairs had to walk through the clinic to exit or enter the premises, because they did not have a separate entrance. The washrooms too were unpleasant till they were refurbished recently with the involvement of the doctors.   

The clinic offers Orthopaedic, Panchakarma and various other treatments. Due to the limited availability of space, patients cannot be housed in the premises. Therefore, seriously ill patients are admitted to other hospitals.   

Many requests were made to restore facilities: Arshad Nizamdeen   
According to Colombo Provincial Council member, Arshad Nizamdeen, no action has been taken to restore the facilities although many requests were being made. “We have written to the relevant authorities including the Chief Minister Isura Devapriya on many occasions but so far there has been no response. The advisory committee was supposed to meet this month but it was postponed.”  

 
I will attend to the request: Isura Devapriya   
When the contacted Colombo CM IsuraDevapriya, he said the request could be granted without hesitation.   

I deny all allegations against the CMC : CMC Commissioner   
Speaking to the , CMC Commissioner V.K.A. Anura said the staff members working in this clinic had hidden agendas. “Currently a repair is underway and I’m sure that anybody who visits the place would see it. Also I deny all allegations vested upon the CMC because there have been repairs done from time to time.”