M. H. Omar Liver Care Facility at Ragama hospital inaugurated

• President hails healthcare excellence and philanthropy

President Ranil Wickremesinghe yesterday inaugurated the “M. H. Omar Liver Care Facility”, at the Centre for Liver Diseases in the Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama.

Made possible by the generous donation from the M. H. Omar Foundation worth Rs. 2.5 billion, this state-of-the-art facility stands as a beacon of hope for those battling liver ailments, marking a pinnacle of healthcare excellence and philanthropy.

Chronic liver disease is increasingly prevalent among both children and adults in Sri Lanka, with liver transplantation being the sole effective treatment for liver failure. Addressing these complex liver ailments requires specialised care, expertise and costly equipment. 

The North Colombo Centre for Liver Diseases serves as a postgraduate training centre and conducts top-tier research in liver diseases, maintaining Sri Lanka’s largest database of liver cancer treatments.

The M. H. Omar Foundation’s significant donation of Rs. 2.5 billion for the construction of this specialized liver disease treatment centre marks the most significant contribution by a Sri Lanka entrepreneur to its healthcare and education services. 

M. H. Omar, the founder of the renowned Brandix Group in Sri Lanka, has spearheaded this philanthropic endeavour.

The presence of a young girl who had undergone successful liver surgery at the hospital was particularly significant, as she warmly welcomed the President upon his arrival at the North Colombo Teaching Hospital.

During the ceremony, the President unveiled the plaque and opened the doors to the M. H. Omar Liver Care Centre, taking a first-hand observation tour of its facilities. Additionally, he took a moment to leave a note in the commemorative book for special guests, expressing gratitude for the transformative impact of the facility on the healthcare landscape of Sri Lanka.

Speaking at the ceremony, President Ranil Wickremesinghe expressed his profound appreciation for the exceptional donation made by the Omar family and the significant contribution they have made to the country’s economy through the Brandix Company.

Minister of State for Higher Education Dr. Suren Raghavan, representing the Omar family, Hasib Omar, grandson of M. H. Omar and a Director of Brandix Group were also in attendance. 

Alongside them were esteemed individuals including Vice-Chancellor of Kelaniya University Prof. Nilanthi De Silva, Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. P. G. Mahipala, Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director of Colombo North Teaching Hospital Dr. Sampath Ranaweera, as well as officials from the Ministry of Health, university professors, doctors, nurses and other healthcare staff.