First Pediatric Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at Apeksha Hospital

COLOMBO (News 1st); The first unit in the country dedicated to bone marrow and blood cell transplantation for children with cancer was inaugurated today at the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama. 

This significant milestone was made possible through the generous donations of devotees from the Kataragama Maha Devalaya.

This new unit provides an opportunity for a large number of children with cancer to receive timely and advanced treatments, which previously required traveling abroad at a cost of millions of rupees. 

The unit has the capacity to treat four children simultaneously, offering hope and improved healthcare outcomes for young patients.

The construction of this unit was funded by donations from the historic Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya and carried out by the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Venerable Kobawaka Dhamminda Thero, Chief Incumbent of Kirivehera Temple, expressed his gratitude, stating, "The funds donated by devotees to seek the blessings of the Kataragama deity have now been transformed into this hospital. I believe that the hundreds of thousands of people who contributed will be very happy to know that they have also played a part in this noble cause."

Dishan Gunasekara, Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya, highlighted the transparency and growth in temple transactions, noting, "When I became the Basnayake Nilame, the temple's income was around 50 million rupees. Last year, it exceeded 400 million rupees, an eightfold increase. With the funds available, we were able to construct this building and are currently upgrading the Kataragama Hospital with a new complex of 44 beds, which is 80% complete."

Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa emphasized the government's commitment to a national plan for healthcare spending, stating, "This year's budget allocates the highest amount ever for the Ministry of Health. Our development activities will be guided by a national plan considering the next twenty years. We expect our hospital directors to align with this plan and show the potential of what our hospitals can achieve in the next fifteen years."

On September 3rd last year, the four-story pediatric ward at Apeksha Hospital, built with donations from the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, was inaugurated. The unit opened today operates within this ward complex, which includes modern facilities necessary for children with cancer.