Ceylinco Healthcare begins construction of second Radiation Treatment Unit

Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) has commenced construction of its second Radiation Treatment unit which will house the country’s first TomoTherapy Treatment System for the treatment of the full spectrum of cancers. Construction work began recently at Park Street, Colombo 2, in close proximity to the company’s first radiation treatment unit.

The new building will initially comprise of two floors, of 4,500 square feet each. The TomoTherapy machine will be installed on the ground floor which will also accommodate a data server room for the TomoTherapy machine, treatment planning room, operator station, a mechanical room, a reception area, patient waiting area and the lobby.

The foundation stone for the new building was laid by R. Renganathan, Chairman of CHSL Construction, and is expected to be completed by May 2013 for a proposed opening in July 2013. The building is designed for later expansion up to nine floors, the company said.

The new TomoTherapy machine will be installed in a solid concrete bunker built to specifications provided by the Atomic Energy Authority. The company has made an investment of $ 3.725 million for the TomoTherapy Hi.Art Treatment System.

Renganathan said the new treatment method would bring convenience to many cancer patients as they will not have to travel overseas to receive this advanced form of treatment.

The TomoTherapy treatment system enables Image Guided Radiation Treatment (IGRT), which brings a new dimension in delivering precise radiation to the target and sparing normal tissue.

As both a treatment delivery machine and a CT scanner, the TomoTherapy system allows doctors to take a CT scan just before each treatment. With the scan, they can verify the position of the tumour and, if necessary, adjust the patient’s position to help make sure radiation is directed right where it should be.

Established in collaboration with the Washington Hospital Centre, Ceylinco Healthcare Services owns and operates the state-of-the-art Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre at Park Street, Colombo 2, the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre and the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre, which offer comprehensive screening, diagnostic services and medical care in a comfortable and non-hospital atmosphere.