New Cancer Ward Complex for Kandy General Hospital

Onlanka News – By Janaka Alahapperuma
(Pix by: Chandana Perera)

A new Cancer Ward Complex for Kandy General Hospital will be constructed in January next year, President’s Media Unit announced recently. President Mahinda Rajapaksa has presided over a discussion in detail the project plan at the Temple Trees on the construction of a new ward complex.

Plans are already afoot to launch construction of a ten storied ward complex at a cost of 700 million rupees. Kandy businessman Indra Silva has come forward to donate Rs.150 million for the initial stage of the project. President Rajapaksa highly appreciated the contribution to be made by the private sector for construction work. At the meeting Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake promised that part of the grants of Central Provincial Councillors will be provided for the project. Ministry of Health has requested contributions from generous contributors.

The Director of hospital has pointed out that around 4000 cancer patients are being detected annually at the Kandy hospital alone. However, residential facilities are available for only 85 patients. There is an extent of 56 acres for the Kandy General Hospital. Doctors pointed that mainly due to encroachers it only has about 16 acres at present. As such the doctors said that appropriate action had to be taken in this respect immediately. President Rajapaksa upon lengthy evaluation of the project has pointed out to the authorities to rectify shortcomings of the project and to commence construction by January next year.

External Affairs Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Central Provincial Chief Minister Sarath Ekanayake and Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Ravindra Ruberu were present at this discussion.