Hemas Hospital Wattala enters cardiac care with most advanced technology

Hemas Hospital Wattala has launched a new Catheterisation Lab (Cath Lab), equipped with Sri Lanka’s most advanced technology, marking a major step forward in healthcare landscape. Backed by Rs. 1 billion investment, this development expands access to advanced heart diagnostics and life-saving interventions, delivering precision-driven cardiac care to address a critical need in the nation.

Enabled by a purpose-built heart centre with thoughtfully designed processes that prioritise patient well-being and efficiency, the Cath Lab at the Hemas Heart Centre is designed to achieve Sri Lanka’s fastest door to balloon time for life-saving cardiac care, ensuring treatment within 60 minutes to every patient who seeks cardiac intervention at Hemas Heart Centre. This is made possible through the best panel of cardiologists and expert staff, whose expertise in interventional cardiology and real-time decision-making plays a crucial role in providing life-saving care during critical emergencies, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients.

The Cath Lab was launched by the senior leadership of Hemas Hospitals, together with the team of interventional cardiologists and government representatives, marking a transformative step in Sri Lanka’s cardiac care ecosystem. The event was followed by an insightful panel discussion with leading cardiologists and specialists in the country, highlighting the importance of timely, high-quality cardiac treatment in addressing Sri Lanka’s leading cause of mortality — cardiovascular disease.

This facility represents a major step forward in making urgent cardiac care more accessible. For patients in Gampaha and the surrounding areas, getting life-saving treatment within 60 minutes can now be a reality.

According to the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA), a door-to-balloon (D2B) time of 90 minutes or less is recommended for patients presenting directly to a PCI-capable hospital — a standard widely recognised as the global benchmark for high-quality STEMI care.

At Hemas Hospitals, we strive to be 30 minutes faster than the international benchmark. Achieving this remarkable speed, is not just a statistic; it reflects the strength of our clinical systems, processes, and the expertise needed to deliver timely, life-saving care.

Every 30-minute delay increases the risk of mortality by approximately 7-10%. By achieving a door-to-balloon time of 60 minutes, patients at Hemas benefit from improved recovery of heart muscle function, shorter hospital stays, lower associated costs, and better overall survival and quality of life.

Hemas Hospitals Group Managing Director Dr. Lakith Peiris said: “Our promise of a 60-minute door-to-balloon time will position Hemas, as the leader in emergency cardiac care in Sri Lanka, setting a measurable benchmark of excellence, that no other hospital in the country can match.” 

Hemas Hospitals Chairman Murtaza Esufally said: “The opening of our new cardiac centre at Hemas Hospital Wattala marks a significant milestone in our commitment to advancing healthcare in Sri Lanka. With cutting-edge technology, and a dedicated team of professionals, we are ensuring that patients receive timely, compassionate, and world-class cardiac care without unnecessary interventions.”

Equipped with the Philips Azurion 7 Image Guided Therapy platform, the Cath Lab integrates state-of-the-art advancements, enhancing diagnostic accuracy while significantly reducing radiation exposure. Features such as ClarityIQ, Zero Dose Positioning, Grid Switch, and Spectra Beam Filtration contribute to a 67% reduction in radiation dose, making it the safest and most efficient systems available for coronary procedures.

Further innovations, including 3D SmartCT, improve precision in structural heart procedures and paediatric cases, while the Dynamic Coronary Roadmap provides real-time navigation of coronary arteries, reducing contrast dye usage and minimising potential complications.