The central trauma hospital for the area was grossly understaffed and under-equipped and the hospital struggled to deal with the swelling numbers pouring in.
The experience was a sobering eye-opener. It was then that Nihal de Run realised how the lack of strong medical services can undo a country and vowed to come back to make sure this was prevented.
In 2011, Dr. Young met Nihal de Run, a Sri Lankan who migrated to Australia, and shared his vision for improving Sri Lanka’s regional trauma services.
With the end of the war enabling greater access around the island, the Foundation was formed, more people joined in to help, partnerships were forged and work began to snowball.
The Sunday Times sat down with Dr. Young and Nihal de Run a few hours after the foundation stone for the Emergency and Accident Unit was laid in Batticaloa.
It’s been a long but satisfying day. Nihal de Run, CEO of Project BEAP, is relieved that after months of shadow boxing, the project has achieved tangible progress and is grateful for the support rendered so far.