UNFPA Sri Lanka: Handover Ceremony of Health on Wheels in Colombo

Colombo, Sri Lanka – On March 1, 2024, Mr. Pio Smith, UNFPA Asia Pacific Regional Director and Mr. Kotaro Katsuki, Acting Ambassador of the Embassy of Japan ceremoniously handed over three 'Health on Wheels' units to Hon. Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, Minister of Health at the Ministry of Health.

The project “ENSURE: Ensuring access to life-saving sexual & reproductive health and providing gender based violence prevention and response services for women, girls and vulnerable groups” has been funded by the Government of Japan with the total grant amount of USD 4.6 million as part of response to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka and aimed to support women in vulnerable communities. Powered by solar energy, these mobile clinics represent a groundbreaking initiative to expand access to critical maternal and reproductive health care services, particularly for marginalized communities, both during current crises and in post-disaster situations.

The Health on Wheels units will serve as lifelines for communities, delivering essential health care services directly to those in need, regardless of their location. These mobile clinics embody UNFPA's commitment to ensuring that every individual has access to quality health care, regardless of their circumstances.

This event represents a significant milestone in our collective efforts to improve health outcomes and empower communities across Sri Lanka.