The “Seth Piyasa” Women’s Cancer Treatment Ward at the Kandy National Hospital Cancer Treatment Centre, which is the country’s largest cancer treatment centre built within a general hospital, was added to the treatment services today (02) morning. The inauguration took place under the patronage of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
Constructed with financial provisions from the Ministry of Health and Mass Media, this women’s treatment ward can accommodate 56 indoor patients.
Addressing the event, Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, stated that this project has been ongoing for a long time, and he is happy that it has been completed in stages and is now available for the public’s health services.
““Seth Piyasa” Women’s cancer treatment ward inaugurated at the Kandy National Hospital”
The Minister pointed out that the country’s health service is being steered with specific targets, and he emphasized that a national health policy, consistent with the country’s national policy, is currently being drafted. The Minister recalled that a health policy was prepared in 2016, and now, after the end of that ten-year period, the health policy for the next ten years is being drafted.
The Minister further stressed that the country’s main health plan is also being developed based on these health policies.
He identified that a main goal is to elevate Sri Lanka’s Global Health Coverage Index level beyond 80 in a very short period, noting that the index currently stands in the sixties. He also highlighted the need to introduce a comprehensive program to achieve this.
The Minister reminded that the current government provides all the necessary funds for the health sector without any shortage, mentioning that Rs. 604 billion was allocated in the last March budget. He stated that this time, more money would be allocated for the free health service than for the Ministry of Defence, and emphasized that all these funds should be used according to a proper plan.
Stating that the Ministry of Health and Mass Media prioritizes the re-commencement and completion of stalled projects when allocating funds, the Minister said that steps have already been taken to restart 17 such projects. He noted that if these projects had been completed on time, they could have been finished for Rs. 29 billion, but due to the delays, Rs. 58 billion will now have to be spent.
The Minister further pointed out to the attendees that three of those 17 main projects belong to the Kandy National Hospital. If those projects had been completed on time, they would have cost Rs. 4 billion, but due to various reasons for the delay, Rs. 8 billion has been spent.
This project was initially started by the Cancer Society in 2012 as a community project and was handed over to the Government of Sri Lanka in 2014. Since then, the construction work has been carried out in stages. After the current government came into power, funds were allocated, and necessary steps were taken to expedite the construction.
The women’s cancer treatment ward has been established on the third floor of the 9-storey “Seth Piyasa” building complex.
The other floors are planned to house units and departments necessary for cancer treatment, including Intensive Care Units (ICUs), High Dependency Units (HDUs), men’s and women’s wards, an auditorium, operating theatres, and clinic premises.
The new estimated cost for the “Seth Piyasa” treatment centre is Rs. 3273 million. So far, Rs. 1200 million has been spent on its construction. As part of the first phase, specialized radiation therapy machines for cancer patients have also been installed.
A unique feature of this treatment centre is that it is designed to provide all necessary treatment services for cancer patients under one roof.
Among those who attended the event were Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, Deputy Director-General of the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dinipriya Herath, Director of Kandy National Hospital Specialist Dr. Iresha Fernando, as well as the Deputy Director of the hospital, the Hospital Secretary, Specialist Doctors, Doctors, Nurses, and a contingent of health professionals representing all vocations, along with prominent local businessmen and philanthropists.
