UHKDU receives HIPEC machine for cancer treatments
November 08, 2021The University Hospital, Kotelawala Defence University (UHKDU) received a donation of ‘Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) Machine’ worth 17 million rupees during a function held at the UHKDU today (Nov 08).
Defence Secretary and the Chairman of the KDU Board of Management Gen. Kamal Gunaratne and Vice Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Maj. Gen. Milinda Peiris received the worthy donation at the function held at the UHKDU.
The members of ‘The Help Circles’ donated the machine designed to treat a variety of abdominal cancers.
Making a comment on ‘The Help Circles’, the Defence Secretary said “It is a non- profit charitable organisation focused to promote and render altruistic and benevolent services to the members of the Sri Lankan community in need of humanitarian assistance in a vast spectrum of needs with no regard to their nationality, community, caste, creed, colour, religion or sex and executes a highly commendable and a noteworthy service to the nation since its inception”.
‘The Help Circles’ organisation was pioneered by Keerthi Pasquel, one of the veteran artists and a composer in the island and Niranga Nanayakkara.
The Defence Secretary also praised Lankajith Panwila and Prasanthi Nugaliyadda of Houston, USA for their generous donation of 12.7 million rupees which was a huge assistance for ‘The Help Circles’ to reach its goal of donating this machine.
“It is my firm belief that it will positively impact thousands of individuals and their loved ones in the country”, Gen. Gunaratne said while addressing the gathering.
The Defence Secretary also stated that the event which took place today is undoubtedly seen as a noble and generous gesture of an immense value to the whole nation.
Gen. Gunaratne went on saying “Today onwards, the people of Sri Lanka will be benefited with yet another valuable addition to the healthcare system” adding that “This has enabled the UHKDU to develop skilled, competent and nurturing healthcare professionals through exposure to wider range of healthcare settings.”
“As a teaching hospital equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, medical facilities, equipment and well trained and experienced consultants, doctors and healthcare professionals, the UHKDU has shown promising prospects in reaching the pinnacle of excellence in the field of healthcare in the country”, he added.
The UHKDU’s Cancer Unit since its inception in 2018 has treated 4800 patients with Chemotherapy and has conducted over 2000 major surgeries.
Today it is considered one of the busiest cancer treatment units in the island.
Towards the end of the session the Defence Secretary presented a memento to the veteran artist Keerthi Pasquel to mark the special occasion.
Executive Director of UHKDU Dr. Jayan Mendis, Head of the Dept. of Oncology Dr. Jayantha Balawardane, Directors of UHKDU, Senior Military Officers, Consultants, Medical Officers, ‘The Help Circles’ members and UHKDU Staffers were also present at the event.
