Advanced treatment for cancer patients

Rasika Somarathna

COLOMBO: Cancer patients in Sri Lanka will soon have access to Linear accelerated technology which is one of the latest innovations in radio therapy treatment for cancer patients.

According to a proposal by Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, the Government has taken steps to set up a Linear Accelerated Machine Unit at the Cancer Hospital, Maharagama costing Rs. 610 million, Ministry sources said.

According to the Minister, out of the total cost of the project, Rs. 350 million will be provided by the President's Fund and the rest by the Health Ministry.

The Ministry has also taken steps to provide Cancer therapy Units to hospitals in Galle, Jaffna, Kandy, Anuradhapura, Badulla and Kurunegala. According to the Minister the expansion of facilities would continue as cancer is a major health problem in the country.

According to Ministry sources, the proposed Linear Accelerated Machine Unit is the first of its kind in Sri Lanka as no private or Government owned hospital has this facility.