Maharagama Cancer Hospital in urgent need of PET-CT scanner

By AshraffA. Samad

Cancer diagnosis is the first step towards an effective cure. The PET-CT Scan Test remains one of the more high tech methods in the field of medicine used in the process of diagnosing the disease.

This particular test can be carried out in a private hospital in Sri Lanka for a steep price of approximately Rs. 150,000 which normally is a difficult burden for the average patient. Often, he/she would be required to go through the test for another few times during the treatment process. 99% of the cancer affected population in this country will find this rather an impossible situation to overcome.

The only son of the Kadijah Foundation president and N.M Travels owner M.S. H Mohamed, has for 17 years sufferedfrom cancer. Having spent millions for treatment in India he was finally admitted to the Mahargama Cancer Hospital. Having discussed with hospital administration regarding this shortage of a Pet -CT Scanner, M.S.H Mohamed has inaugurateda fund raising ceremony on 5 March at the BMICH Committee room B. Here a number of religiousLeaders, Health Department Director Dr.Palitha Guneratne Mahapala, Cancer Hospital Director Dr. M.Y.K Wilfrad , Sri Lanka Cricket team former Captain Mahela  Jayawardena and radio personality Faizal Bonso addressed this gathering and made anappeal to the public to help with fund raising as part of thisPET- CT- Scanner fund raising project. The scanner machine costs an estimated Rs. 200million. 

Director of the National Cancer Institute of Mahragama Dr.M.Y.K Wilfred said: “The National Cancer Institute Maharagama is the sole cancer institute in Sri Lanka which caters to cancer patients from the entire country. At presentthis hospital has facilities for 934 beds in our hospital, on a daily basis it serves more than 1000 inpatients and another 1000 patients obtain treatment from the OPD and clinics.Unfortunately at present we do not have the facilities for Pet CT scans in our institute,which are animportant need during the preliminary diagnosis followed by treatment and follow up PET CT Scanning which will assist the treatment regimen, including the necessity surgical intervention.This will throw light on the urgent need for this facility in our hospital.”

Banking details for donations are:National Cancer Institute, Maharagama – Bank of Ceylon, MaharagamaAccount No. 007125069; Branch code 055 Bank code 7010.

For more information, contact 0094- 1122897377/78; email:[email protected]; website: www.fightcancer.lk.