Cutting edge endoscopy systems for 20 hospitals in Sri Lanka

Ministry of Health Secretary Wasantha Perera, Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne, Director General of Health Services Dr. Anil Jasinghe and BES Deputy Director General Janapriya Karunathilake distributed high-end endoscopy systems to 20 hospitals island-wide

In a landmark project to strengthen the advanced diagnostic facilities of leading government hospitals, the Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine (MoH) recently distributed the latest high definition endoscopy systems amongst 20 hospitals in the country. 

The cutting edge technology manufactured in Japan by the world’s No. 1 medical endoscopy imaging manufacturer, Fujifilm is packed with unique and patented technology that can facilitate detection of early stages of cancers in the gastrointestinal tract allowing our nation to tackle the growing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCD) in an efficient manner.

A ceremony was held at the Biomedical Engineering Services (BES) division of the MoH recently to distribute the endoscopy systems to 20 leading hospitals in the country, which was well attended by the ministry staff, Directors of the recipient hospitals, specialist consultants who would be the users of such equipment in the future and many other foreign dignitaries.

Welcoming the audience, Janapriya Karunathilake, Deputy Director General of the BES division of the MoH provided a comprehensive analysis of the deployment of high end diagnostic and therapeutic equipment in the country as at present and the need to integrate cutting edge technology to strengthen the hospital infrastructure. 

Karunathilake, a chartered engineer by profession and with over 20 years of hands-on experience at the BES elaborated as to how measures have been taken within the past year to significantly improve equitable distribution of such technology for all hospitals. He further went on to highlight some of the unique advantages and clinical features of the endoscopy systems distributed.

In a presentation stuffed with clear and precise facts and figures, he explained to the audience comprising of Minister Wasantha Perera, Secretary to the MoH, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Director General of Health Services and many other senior Additional Secretaries and Deputy Director Generals of the MoH, how the dire need for advanced healthcare technology, for equipment such as MRI, CT, Endoscopy, High Pressure Sterilisers, Ventilators and Digital X Ray, have been met through the efficient procurement procedures initiated by his department.

Dr. Anil Jasinghe, DG of MoH enlightened the audience regarding the efforts undertaken by the Ministry so far to ensure equitable distribution of advanced medical technology to all parts of the country and the active role played by the Department of BES in the past to sustain and strengthen such efforts of the Ministry by deploying timely engineering, repair and maintenance services.

Representatives from Teaching Hospital – Kurunegala, General Hospital – Monaragala, District General Hospital Gampaha, Base Hospital – Puttlam, Base Hospital – Nikawaratiya, General Hospital – Trincomalee, Base Hospital – Karawanella, Base Hospital – Dambadeniya, Base Hospital – Point Pedro, Base Hospital – Matale, Base Hospital – Vauniya, Teaching Hospital –Batticaloa, Base Hospital – Horana, Base Hospital – Kuliyapitiya, Teaching Hospital – Kandy, General Hospital – Kalutara, Base Hospital – Galgamuwa, District General Hospital – Negombo, Base Hospital – Wathupitiwala, and Base Hospital – Awissawella received the official documentation relating to the handing over of advanced Fujifilm endoscopy systems. Addressing the gathering, Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Rajitha Senaratne clearly articulated how the modern treatment practices in the developed world are now moving towards gene based individually targeted treatment and the evolvement of different types of treatment modalities that would make the current clinical practices obsolete in the next 15-20 years. Therefore, he gave credence to the vision he had already actioned throughout the country that guarantees every citizen the right and the ability to obtain the highest standard of medical care irrespective of his race, religion or place of residence. 

As a pioneering visionary who has transformed the healthcare landscape in Sri Lanka by making available expensive medication at concessionary prices, free cardiac stents for patients with heart ailments, free intraocular lenses for eye operations and life-saving medications at hospitals for patients with heart attacks, the Minister also expounded as to how he is making his vision for the Sri Lankan health sector a reality by making the right investment at the right time and place, not only through allocated government budgets but also through various bilateral foreign credit programs initiated under his advice and direction. 

He also concluded that the ultimate objective of such structured programs and interventions would be to make Sri Lankan health sector and medical care to be that of world class providing not only curative but also a solid preventative service which in the long term results in a healthy nation with less of a burden to government coffers.

The vote of thanks was given by Palitha, Director Finance BES, emphasising appreciation to all those whose dedication and hard work made this occasion a possibility.