Health sector not hit by recession

Ramani KANGARAARACHCHI

The health sector is one of the few areas which has not been affected by the recession in Sri Lanka, Chairman, Asiri Surgical Hospital Ashok Pathirage told the launch of their latest Rs. 500 million project, Asiri Heart Centre yesterday.

He said that the Asiri Hospital realized the need for a patient - centered cardiovascular care unit through their longstanding experience and with the launch of this unit they can offer a full fledged service under one roof. There is a good demand for our services and the state of the Art Centre comprises four new operation theatres with the latest equipment and thirty-five comfortable rooms, he said. Another USD45 million hospital project is under way at Norris Canal Road in Colombo which would have 270 beds. It will be completed by December this year, he said.

Asked about the price range for operations, he said that the packages are from Rs. 430,000 upwards. It cannot be reduced because high quality of services has to be maintained. Cardiac Surgeon Dr. Vivek Guptha, an Indian doctor who has handled more than 5,000 heart surgeries is based in Sri Lanka to carry out heart surgeries. He said that there is potential to carry out seven operations daily and at present he handles two daily.

Clinical Director Dr. Anil Perera said that Asiri hopes to take every aspect of cardiovascular care to the next level and create a new standard of excellence. The hospital offers a 24-hour chest pain centre next to the CCU offering fast track diagnosis and specialized care, an integrated preventive medicine, wellness and cardiac rehabilitation centre and a separate cardiac outpatient consultation area on the fourth floor.