First Govt. pediatric bone marrow transplant unit opens at Apeksha Hospital

Friday, 3 January 2025 00:08 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Pediatric bone marrow transplant unit opens at Apeksha Hospital

The first and only Bone Marrow and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Unit in a Government hospital for children with cancer in Sri Lanka was inaugurated at the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama yesterday.

This landmark achievement was made possible through the financial support of the Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya and the dedicated labour contribution of the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF). The inauguration ceremony was graced by the Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and Air Force Commander Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa and ‘Basnayake Nilame’ of the Kataragama Devalaya, Dishan Gunasekara. The project began in response to the increasing need for space for children receiving residential treatment at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital. In 2023, the Basnayake Nilame of Ruhunu Maha Kataragama Devalaya pledged financial resources from the Kataragama Devalaya Fund for the project.

The initial plan, sponsored by the Sri Lanka Air Force, aimed to build a three-story ward complex. However, with the labour contributions of the Air Force, the project expanded to a four-story complex, which was completed and opened to the public in 2024. The newly established transplant unit occupies the third and fourth floors of the complex, providing advanced care for children battling cancer. This unit represents a beacon of hope for families who previously had limited treatment options.