Polonnaruwa is an ancient city in north-central Sri Lanka, surrounded by paddy fields and luscious forests. Amidst the ancient wonders and sacred artifacts stands a building with reddish roofs and white walls, with architecture combining the modern lifestyle and ancient beauties. In front of the building, the national flags of China and Sri Lanka fly high. A thick stone tablet is displayed with the inscription: China-Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital.
( China – Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital )
This beautiful building is a new landmark for Polonnaruwa and the largest kidney hospital in South Asia. On June 11, 2021, the China-Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital (China-Sri Lanka Friendship Hospital), built with the assistance of the Chinese government, was officially inaugurated.
Over the past two decades, chronic kidney disease has been prevalent in north and central Sri Lanka, concentrated in Polonnaruwa and surrounding areas. China has always supported Sri Lanka in improving the quality of drinking water and tackling the problem of kidney disease. The Chinese government has continued to provide support to Sri Lanka in the prevention The China-Sri Lanka Friendship National Nephrology Specialized Hospital is next to the Polonnaruwa General Hospital. It is constructed on 25,917 square meters of land and includes 200 general inpatient beds and 100 hemodialysis beds, five advanced operating rooms and two intensive care units.
The hospital was donated and built by the Chinese government at the request of then President Maithripala Sirisena during his visit to China in 2015. Construction commenced on July 31, 2018, completed on January 11, 2021, and officially handed over to the Sri Lankan government on February 24, (2021). The hospital is managed by the consortium of Beijing Architectural Design and Research Institute Co., Ltd. and Shenyang Engineering Supervision Consulting Co., Ltd. It was constructed and is operated by Shaanxi Construction Engineering Group (formerly Huashan International Engineering Company).
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On November 13, 2022, the documentary on the construction of the Polonnaruwa National Nephrology Specialized Hospital was broadcast on Sri Lankan television. It was called “Light of Life” and aired on Sri Lanka’s Dialog TV Channel 1. “Light of Life” was broadcast in five episodes which showed the construction process of the hospital, the significance of promoting local medicines and healthcare processes while reflecting on the sound friendship between the Chinese and Sri Lankan peoples.