Navy to the aid of Thalassaemia patients
Sandasen Marasinghe
The Navy introduced low cost drug infusion equipment to be
distributed free of charge for Thalassaemia patients bringing relief for
many who are unable to afford this expensive apparatus.
A stock of 150 infusion pumps were donated to a number of hospitals
and distributed among children affected by Thalassaemia by the Navy
yesterday at a ceremony at Navy Headquarters under the patronage of
Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa.
The equipment was developed by the Research and Development Unit of
the Navy funded by the Social Responsibility Fund of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake said that it was
a measure of the Navy's stills that it could develop the equipment at a
cost of Rs 4,500 whereas the imported one of equal standard was around
Rs 75,000. He added that the health sector officials have confirmed that
the equipment developed by Navy was even better than the imported
variety.
Navy Commander Dissanayake further stated that this product would
save drain in the country's foreign exchange. This product was funded by
the Social Responsibility Fund of the Navy of which all 52,000 of the
Navy personnel are members. This fund is not meant to grant assistance
to individual level needs but to support whole sections of society on
whom minimal attention is focused.
The Navy Commander also stated that it was also a tribute to the
success of the Navy that it could venture into the field of medical
research technology helping in the government's attempt to make Sri
Lanka the Wonder of Asia under the guidance of President Mahinda
Rajapaksa. He added that the Navy fulfill its national obligations in
many spheres and contributes to the development of the nation.
Paediatrician of the Kandy General Hospital Dr Mrs Chandani
Wickramasinghe stated that there were around 2000 patients who are
affected by the Thalassemia Major Trait.
Chairperson of the Defence Ministry Seva Vanitha Unit Ayoma Rajapaksa,
Chairperson of the SL Navy Seva Vanitha Unit Neluka Dissanayake and
Director General of Media Centre for National Security Lakshman
Hulugalla also present. |