Govt. allocates Rs. 233 m to develop National Cancer Institute

The National Cancer Institute – Maharagama is the head branch for cancer treatments in Sri Lanka. It gets many daily referrals from the island-wide government hospital network. 

The Ministry of Health has planned to develop the infrastructure facilities of the National Cancer Institute, to cater for the increasing demand of the cancer care services in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Government signed an MOU with Ahamad Tea Ltd. of London (donor) for the construction of a seven-storied building at an estimated cost of Rs. 850 million as a grant and a subsequent contribution of Rs. 380 million was received from the said company.

Increasing the bed strength by 375, operating theatres, a surgical ICU, a Medical ICU, Chemotherapy unit, Indoor and Outdoor pharmacy, Emergency Treatment unit, and paying unit are some of the grants of the project. 

In addition to this it has been proposed to establish units for checking bone marrow with an operation theatre, increase facilities in the chemical laboratory, create facilities for joining bone marrow and to provide other equipment and facilities that are required. 

The Cabinet of Ministers has approved to meet the balance amount of Rs. 233 million required for the above additional facilities as per the proposal submitted by the Minister of Health.