FINANCIAL CHRONICLE – The tragic incident at an unlicensed elderly care facility in Horana, coupled with the ramifications of Cyclone Ditwah on at-risk populations, underscores a significant crisis within Sri Lanka’s caregiving sector, according to an advocacy group. These events highlight overarching failures in safety measures and regulatory oversight.
To avert further disasters, the Kayden Cares Framework has advocated for a united national effort to implement essential safety protocols, enhance emergency preparedness, and ensure proper registration of care facilities. Soshana Wijeratne Austin, the Founder Director of KCF, emphasized, “We cannot wait for another disaster to prompt action. Every individual in Sri Lanka deserves to exist with dignity, safety, and adequate support. The moment has arrived for us to collaborate in fortifying the systems that protect our most vulnerable community members.”
The fire, which resulted in numerous fatalities among residents, has sparked grave concerns regarding safety practices, oversight, and quality within the care sector of Sri Lanka. Reports suggest that the facility was not only overcrowded but also operating without the necessary legal registration, thereby placing at risk its vulnerable inhabitants.
KCF noted, “This incident is part of a troubling trend affecting at-risk individuals, including the elderly and those needing care, who have faced displacement, injury, or even death due to the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah.” The cyclone revealed serious shortcomings in emergency preparedness, evacuation strategies, and the safeguarding of individuals reliant on care services. These occurrences are not isolated; they serve as urgent reminders of the necessity for a coordinated, accountable, and quality-focused care system that protects individuals throughout their lives.
KCF aims to enhance the country’s caregiving framework through the development of standards, workforce training, quality assurance, research initiatives, digital innovation, and community involvement. The organization is collaborating with government bodies, care providers, research entities, and community groups to establish a national platform that encourages best practices and fosters continuous improvement within the caregiving sector.
As part of this effort, the Kayden Cares Framework is extending an invitation to:
- Elder care facilities
- Disability support organizations
- Child development and special needs centers
- Community care providers
- Caregivers and healthcare professionals
- Government and non-government organizations
- Researchers and development collaborators
These entities are encouraged to join the Kayden Cares Platform and contribute to the expanding caregiving community in Sri Lanka. Registered organizations will have the chance to engage in future mapping activities, training sessions, quality enhancement projects, research initiatives, pilot programs, and the formulation of national care standards.
For more information on registration or to learn more about the platform, the Kayden Cares Framework invites all care-related organizations and professionals to express their interest and join the initiative aimed at elevating caregiving standards across Sri Lanka. Interested parties can reach out via email at info@kaydencaresframework.org or visit the website at www.thekaydencaresframework.org. Every life deserves care, dignity, and protection.
