Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children is considered as the premier hospital in the country for the treatment of children. Many sick children come here daily for treatment. Many children also receive residential treatment as well.
Hospital staff and patients are usually served all three main meals daily. However, the hospital staff has recently realized that the food provided at this children’s hospital is substandard.
The All Ceylon Health Services Association states that the food items received by the hospital through a tender are at very poor quality. They have been suspecting for months that the chilly powder may be substandard and mixed with another substance. Ruwan S. Hettiarachchi, Treasurer of the All Ceylon Health Services Association, said that foods such as chickpeas are also inferior in quality. He points out that the hospital kitchen staff also acknowledges the poor quality of these foods.
Though they have informed the hospital administration about this several times but not any solution has been given. They also allege that the All Ceylon Health Services Union has requested the hospital director on several times to discuss the matter but was not given the opportunity to do so.
Due to the continuous protests regarding food from the hospital employees, the hospital administration and the public health inspector of the hospital went to the hospital kitchen yesterday (04) and took samples of chilly powder to test.
Ruwan S. Hettiarachchi further stated that if the hospital staff and patients be provided such substandard food continuously, they will have to take action against it.
-Shani-