Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Wednesday Dec 25, 2024
Saturday, 5 October 2024 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
ATG Group of Companies recently came forward to donate a state-of-the-art ‘Green Laser machine’ to the Wijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital in Seeduwa as part of the ‘ATG Suraksha’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative.
Valued at Rs. 12.8 million, the machine will help the hospital provide preventive laser treatment for patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that could lead to permanent blindness in the eyes, if not treated promptly.
Being one of the only two Government hospitals in Sri Lanka that offers ‘vitrectomies’; an eye surgery to reverse and prevent the effects of diabetic retinopathy, the Wijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital’s previous Green Laser machine went out of order recently, leaving dozens of immediate surgeries on halt. The hospital struggled with securing the necessary financial capital to replace this machine due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country.
As a result, these patients had to then opt for a three-year-long waiting list at the National Eye Hospital in Colombo, which ultimately sealed dire complications for their condition. It is against this backdrop that Seeduwa Hospital Acting Chairman Neil Umagiliya reached out to the ATG Group. In response to this request, the Group took prompt measures to immediately address this alarming need within the national health sector.
Wijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital Consultant Eye and Vitreoretinal Surgeon Dr. Chamara Kumarage said: “The incidence of diabetes is increasing among young people, especially in the age group of 25-35. One of the complications that can arise after approximately 10 years of having diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. While cataracts can be treated with surgery to restore vision, diabetic retinopathy will cause irreversible damage to the eyes if we don’t act quickly. This is why this machine plays a crucial role in preventing such complications.”
Apart from ensuring the completion of over 80 vitrectomies with only a two-month waiting list, the hospital also conducts 700-800 cataract surgeries every month.
Addressing the handing-over ceremony, ATG Group of Companies Managing Director Fazal Abdeen said: “It gives me great pleasure to see our CSR banner here. ‘ATG Suraksha,’ our community support program, continues with its true vision of serving humanity. Whenever we establish ourselves at one of the BOI zones in Sri Lanka, we reach out to the neighbouring community to carry out our projects. Community hospitals play a major part in our mission. We have ongoing projects to help hospitals in Wathupitiwala, Koggala, Katunayake, and now here in Seeduwa. Giving back to society is essential as we achieve success, and as it helps sustain the ecosystem we live in.”
