In Sri Lanka’s Central and Uva provinces, Field Maternal and Child Health Centres (FMCHCs) play a vital role offering free, essential healthcare services to vulnerable communities. However, health clinics in remote villages are in a state of disrepair and lack adequate facilities, inconveniencing both patients and healthcare professionals.

To improve access to health services, UN-Habitat with funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), has upgraded 47 Field Maternal and Child Health Centres in Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts under the project ‘Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience of Communities Affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka’.

The Welimada FMCHC, located in the Welimada estate of Badulla district, was one of the health centres selected by this project. This facility provides vital health care services such as maternal and child health services, immunization, emergency care and routine preventive healthcare clinics to 1,506 residents in the four clinic areas of Welimada, Uva Ben Head, Ambagasdowa, and Katugalla.

When UN-Habitat commenced the project, Welimada FMCHC lacked facilities and space for its day-to-day operations. The building was dilapidated with damaged walls and roof resulting in leaks during rainy days. Ms. V. Madhumitha, a patient at the clinic and a resident of Welimada Waththa said: “The health centre building was not in a good condition. So, the clinic was conducted in another building, located far from our homes. We had no toilet facilities either.” Only one room was available for all the health care services at the health centre and patients were compelled to use an external toilet near the estate houses.

The renovation of the health centre was implemented through UN-Habitat’s participatory process. Key partners in this initiative included the Office of the Medical Officer of Health (MOH) for Welimada, Regional Plantation company of the estate – Malwatte Valley Plantations PLC, the Community Based organization -Welimada Estate Workers Housing Co-operative Society (EWHCS) and UN-Habitat. The EWHCS was engaged to construct the Health Centre. Its responsibilities included ensuring construction quality standards, adhering to the specified timeframe, and maintaining transparency and accountability throughout the process. The renovation of Welimada FMCHC took about six months and cost a total of LKR 4,400,000 (Approx. USD 14,634).

The main improvements to the health centre included repairing the existing building, improving its water supply system, establishing a hand washing station and WASH facilities. A disability-friendly toilet was also constructed on the premises. To enable easy access for pregnant women and people with disabilities to the health centre, a ramp with a handrail was constructed at the front entrance and near the toilet.

The renovation of the health centre was completed in October 2024 and is now fully functional, providing hygienic and safe facilities for both patients and healthcare workers. The health clinic was officially handed over to the MOH by KOICA during a monitoring visit in October 2024.

Describing the improvements, Ms. R. Chandrani, public health midwife of the Welimada FMCHC said: “The renovated building has disability-friendly features and toilet facilities. Given the area’s frequent bad weather, patients can now safely visit the health centre and receive medical assistance within the facility”.

The Strengthening Socioeconomic Resilience of Communities Affected by the COVID–19 Pandemic in Central and Uva Provinces of Sri Lanka project is being implemented from 2022-2025 in the Nuwara Eliya and Badulla Districts. By improving access to healthcare and sanitation, this project has empowered communities to take charge of their health and well-being, leading to healthier, more productive communities.