Report on Our Activities Completed & Planned for the Future
November 2005
The Medical Institute For Tamils (MIFT) - Canada is empowered by the enthusiasm and steered by the tireless volunteerism of the members consisting of medical professionals in Canada-doctors, dentists etc. Since MIFT was founded in November 1998 we have been succeeding our accomplishments in an accelerated fashion locally in Canada and abroad. We were involved in publishing health articles in Tamil newspapers and participated in radio/TV health talks to help the expatriate Tamil population.
We also participated in health education seminars/projects organized by other community organizations working with the Tamil population here.
Since the peace talks began in Sri Lanka, we had four different teams from MIFT visit our homeland on medical/humanitarian missions with the support of CHC. In March 2003 and in March 2004 out multidisciplinary teams visited Vanni. The highlights of these missions were modifying dental and anesthetic equipment, performing surgical and dental procedures, conducting medical, dental and psychiatric clinics, teaching medical and dental students etc.
In December 2004, as soon as the Tsunami hit Sri Lanka, our MIFT team rushed to provide the needed services to the people in the devastated Batticaloa area. In March 2005, another team did the same in the Trincomalee area.
Our “After the Wave” tsunami fundraising event is our first and only major event which took place in April this year. We succeeded in mobilizing general support from the mainstream Canadians and the expatriate Tamils in this event and raised a substantial fund for Tsunami relief. At this time, MIFT is looking into a variety of Tsunami related project proposals by NGO and other individual organizations working in the north-east.
As our first commitment/installment $25,000 (Canadian) has been dispersed for Puthukudiyiruppu hospital medical, surgical ward/maternity & pediatric unit renovation project-estimated cost @80-100k
Also funding approved for two used ambulances for primary care units operated by CHC in eastern/northern provinces @20k each
Funding approved for a mobile dental unit @30-40k
At this point we would also like to outline some of our Material/Financial contributions to north-eastern Sri Lanka so far.
Mission 1 - $8,000+ Canadian
Medical books, Generator, Compressor, Dental equipments and supplies, Water Filters, Medications, Medical Supplies
Solar Panels for Thileepan Canters
Donations to Sencholai, Kantharoopan arivucholai etc.
Mission 2 - $10,000+ Canadian
BCLS supplies, eye equipment/supplies
Lab auto analyzer, Microscope for Puthukudiyiruppu hospital
Part donation for a Video projector
Medications, Medial Supplies
Installed four Anesthetic machines for Vanni hospitals
Post Tsunami Missions 3 & 4 - $30,000+ Canadian
Medications, Vaccines, Medical supplies + treating Tsunami victims in the camps
Generator/ Motor bike for CHC Batticaloa
Donation to Batticaloa hospital for Tsunami relief
Fund for counseling/medical training – CHC Trincomalee
Other Projects
Laptop computer through TSVP for CHC office in Kilinochchi - $800 Canadian
Shipment of examining beds, hospital and medical supplies donated by a local charity here $1,500+ Canadian
Local purchase of Tsunami relief supplies, materials, medications, vaccines etc
Donated to TRO - $40,000 Canadian with the first post tsunami mission
Prepared by Dr.Santhakumar-VP MIFT
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Medical institute for Tamils
