Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni announced that a bone marrow transplant unit for Thalassemia patients will be established at Kandy National Hospital within this year.

Dr. Wijemuni highlighted that while the procedure costs around Rs. 10 million in India, the Government has already allocated the necessary funds to set up the specialised unit locally in Kandy. He also stated that hospital staff assigned to the bone marrow transplant unit will be sent to India for specialised training.

Speaking to the media in Kandy, the Deputy Minister drew attention to existing challenges at the hospital, noting that one of the two angiogram machines is currently out of service. He pledged that three new angiogram machines will be installed before the end of the year, which is expected to significantly reduce the waiting list for angiogram tests at the hospital’s cardiology unit.

Dr. Wijemuni further revealed that the Government will invest Rs. 2,000 million over the next three years to complete the development of the Kandy Cancer Hospital. An additional Rs. 1,500 million is expected to be spent on procuring the necessary medical equipment for the facility.

“These initiatives demonstrate the Government’s commitment to providing advanced medical care locally and reducing the burden on patients who would otherwise have to travel abroad,” Dr. Wijemuni added.