Sri Lanka expands free heart surgery services at KDU Hospital

Sri Lanka will expand free heart and thoracic surgery services at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Teaching Hospital under a new agreement aimed at reducing waiting times at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL).

A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today (August 25) between the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Mass Media and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU).

The agreement was signed by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe and KDU Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral H. G. U. Dhammika Kumara on behalf of their respective institutions.

The initiative is being implemented in line with a Cabinet proposal submitted by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.

It is aimed at reducing congestion and addressing the lengthy waiting list for cardiothoracic surgeries at the National Hospital.

Under the arrangement, specialist doctors and clinical staff from the Cardiothoracic Unit of the National Hospital will conduct free heart and thoracic surgeries and provide specialised treatment to patients at the KDU Teaching Hospital.

KDU will provide the required infrastructure, medical facilities and specialised equipment, while the Ministry of Health and Mass Media will provide medicines, medical supplies and specialised medical care.

Speaking at the event, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha said the programme would benefit the public by reducing waiting times and improving access to life-saving cardiac care.

He said the collaboration would also allow the modern facilities, infrastructure and equipment available at the KDU Teaching Hospital to be used more effectively.

Officials representing the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Mass Media and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University were also present at the signing ceremony.