A volunteer patiently measures the blood pressure of a Sri Lankan resident. Though language was a barrier, warm smiles and gestures bridged the gap. (Photo by Phang Wei Wan)
Kurunegala, in Sri Lanka’s North Western Province, lies about 120 km from Colombo, the capital of the country. With a population of roughly 75,000, residents rely mainly on rice farming, coconut plantations, and daily-wage labour, earning below the national average.
At the Bingiriya Divisional Hospital, facilities are limited. Although it has an obstetrics ward with maternity beds, it delivers only three to four babies annually, as most expectant mothers choose better-equipped hospitals. The dental unit can only treat 20 patients a day, turning others away. Outpatient services handle about 400 visits daily, dispensing only a month’s supply of medicine. With some medicines requiring out-of-pocket payment, many impoverished families are left without access to essential healthcare.
In 2025, Tzu Chi organised a two and a half day medical mission (15 Aug – 17 Aug) at the Bingiriya Divisional Hospital, providing more than 4,200 consultations and treatments. This mission also marked the first participation of National University Health System (NUHS) and Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH).
NUHS’s Department of Family Medicine, together with the National University Polyclinics (NUP), sent 13 doctors and allied health professionals for this mission. The collaboration reflected NUHS’s patient-centred values while also giving staff real-world training in patient triage, high-pressure operations, and resource-limited settings, strengthening resilience and adaptability.
NUHS doctors patiently consulted patients, assisted by volunteer translators in resource-limited conditions. (Photo by Lee Foo Tien)
Joining Hands to Fill the Gaps
The opening ceremony, hosted by the hospital, welcomed guests including Venerable Padiwela (seated in the front row on the left, in the photo below), Dr Shanika, Director of Health Services, Kurunegala District (front row, fifth from right), Dr Amila, Director of Bingiriya Divisional Hospital (front row, third from left), and Arosha, Head of Tzu Chi Sri Lanka Liaison Office.
The mission officially began with the presence of Venerable Padiwela. (Photo by Lee Foo Tien)
Venerable Padiwela recalled hearing of Tzu Chi for the first time in California 15 years ago. Though he had no chance to connect then, seeing the organisation’s presence locally moved him deeply. He extended heartfelt gratitude to Master Cheng Yen and the teams from Taiwan and Singapore.
Dr Shanika shared, “I am grateful for Tzu Chi’s consistent support and attentive care. This companionship brings not only physical and medical aid, but also spiritual nourishment, letting residents feel love and support akin to family.”
Dr Amila, upon learning of the mission in March, immediately agreed to collaborate. He said, “It’s a wonderful idea. While the government can offer partial support, joining hands brings a greater blessing to the people.”
He hopes future missions can include orthopedics and psychological counseling, and introduce new knowledge, technologies, medicines, and treatments, noting a rising number of patients with kidney disease.
Well Equipped for Precision
For the first time, the internal medicine team conducted point-of-care testing (POCT) for blood sugar and cholesterol, allowing more accurate diagnosis of chronic illnesses.
There was no shortage of heart-moving stories at the free clinic, among them was 54-year-old L.P. Piyathilaka, who, assisted by his wife, struggled to reach the second-floor eye clinic. Partially paralysed and reliant on a urine bag, his poor eyesight made daily living such as washing dishes, extremely difficult.
“We couldn’t afford glasses,” his wife explained sadly. After an eye examination, the doctor prescribed him with two pairs of glasses. When he put them on and saw clearly again, his face lit up with a long-lost smile, as if hope had returned.
At the dental station, a five-year-old girl nearly cried from fear of a filling. With the patience of dentists, nurses, and translators, along with the comfort from a soft pink toy, she bravely completed treatment.
Dentists, nurses, and translators gently reassure every child during dental procedures. (Photo by Phang Wei Wan)
The girl’s mother, M.P. Dinesha Maami, shared that she had taken her daughter to see a dentist six months ago, but due to fear, the treatment was never completed. This was the first time her daughter successfully received dental care, and she finally had her decayed teeth filled smoothly. Dinesha praised, “Government hospitals are not as attentive as Tzu Chi — they even prepare biscuits, sweets, and stuffed toys to comfort children.”
In addition, the dental team specially brought equipment such as scaling and filling instruments from Singapore, in hopes of diagnosing patients’ oral problems more accurately and efficiently and providing more suitable treatment plans.
First Encounter with TCM
In addition to Western medicine, the mission also offered Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatments. 39-year-old D.M.C. Dasanayka had endured numbness and pain in her lower body for 11 years, relying only on herbal remedies with limited effect. After receiving acupuncture, she felt significant relief.
Dasanayka waited from 7:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. before finally receiving acupuncture. (Photo by Lee Foo Tien)
Nihal Nonis, a tuk-tuk driver, suffered shoulder pain for over five months, unable to lift his arm. Upon hearing that the free clinic offered TCM treatments, he came with hope. After having acupuncture and herbal massage, he was amazed to regain movement and repeatedly thanked the team.
This medical mission not only provided essential healthcare but also conveyed compassion and human warmth. From the professionalism of medical teams to the thoughtful support of volunteers, every effort gave patients comfort and renewed hope.
Though the mission ended, the seeds of kindness have been planted. With more hands and hearts coming together, the vision is to continue bringing health and smiles to those in need.
To raise environmental awareness, local Tzu Chi Youths used handmade posters to advocate recycling and vegetarianism to waiting patients. (Photo by Deshitha)
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