According to a basic concept mooted by an inventor, Mr. Thushara Kelum Wadasinghe, the Navy’s Research and Development Unit, going by the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, developed this remote-controlled smart appliance called ‘Medi Mate’. One of these remote-controlled ‘Medi Mates’ which was made by Navy with the financial assistance provided by medical specialists serving in the Negombo District General Hospital, was handed over to that hospital today. Two appliances of this kind have been handed over to the Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital and to the Kalubowila (Colombo South) Teaching Hospital, by the Navy in previous occasions.

This smart appliance will help healthcare workers to diagnose ailments, communicate with patients and dispense medicine and meals to them, without getting closer to the infected people. As such, this innovative appliance will minimize the possible infections of doctors and healthcare workers while they are treating to COVID-19 patients.