Rs. 160m on equipment:

Nawaloka commissions largest  Operating Theatre complex

Nawaloka Hospitals recently commissioned their Operating Theatre complex with 14 operating theatres at a construction cost of approximately Rs. 50 million per theatre.

The operating theatre complex was opened by Dr. P.R. Anthonisz. Dr. Anthonisz had performed the first operation when Nawaloka Hospitals first opened its doors to the public in 1985.

Several surgeons and anesthetists were present at the opening, amongst them being Prof. A.H. Sherifdeen, Prof. Harsha Seneviratne, Prof. Mandika Wijerathne, Dr. Maiya Gunasekara, Dr. Fred Perera and others. "Nawaloka Hospital's operating theatre complex will have two theatres dedicated to the needs of outpatients, thus segregating the Out Patient surgeries from the In house surgeries.

"Another very special feature is the inclusion of two operating theatres and a private delivery suite in the Maternity and Labour Room area which will enable Obstetricians and Gynaecologists to attend to the needs of mothers and babies in their own environment", said Director/General Manager of Nawaloka Hospitals, Prof. Chandrasena. This would relieve the extra burden on the main operating theatres, while the increased number of theatres would enable surgeons to conduct their operations in a timely manner, with the least delays. "Equipped with the latest technologically advanced equipment including the latest LED Operation Theatre lights, an electronic gas delivery system, an electronic Master Clock system which displays the same time throughout the hospital and is unique to Nawaloka Hospitals [a critical factor for births], this complex is any surgeon's dream", said Deputy Chairman Nawaloka Hospitals, Jayantha Dharmadasa.

"The most expensive item in the healthcare industry is the cost of introducing new equipment. The modern world is such that every day there is new technology coming into the industry, which makes even new equipment obsolete; however to keep our services up to date, it is essential to provide the latest technology in spite of the cost and with this end in view, Nawaloka Hospitals annually spends over Rs. 200 million on new equipment alone", he said.

Nawaloka Hospital's bed count now stands at 400, while their total staff strength is at 2,000 approximately.

"Our nurse to patient ratio is currently 1 to 3, in the wards and 1 to 1 in the ICUs. We now have 85 consultation rooms, with over 200 consultants visiting the hospital on a daily basis whilst several new doctors in all specialties too have joined the Hospital's team of eminent professionals" he said.