Ragama Hospital equipment restored, saving millions

By Mangala Pavithrani

Colombo, June 12 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Science and Technology said that medical and technological equipment worth nearly Rs. 3 million at the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital in Ragama, which had been out of service for several years, was repaired and refurbished for less than Rs. 5,000 by engineers from the Arthur C. Clarke Institute for Modern Technologies (ACCIMT).

Issuing the statement, the ministry said that the first batch of repaired and upgraded equipment was officially handed over to the hospital at a recent ceremony attended by the Minister of Science and Technology and Chairman of the Gampaha District Health Committee, Prof. Chrishantha Abeysena.

The initiative began after Prof. Abeysena visited the hospital and identified several essential medical devices that had been abandoned due to high repair costs, the closure of original manufacturing companies, and the lack of local technical expertise.

Following his request, a team of specialised engineers from the Arthur C. Clarke Institute undertook the task of restoring the equipment.

The refurbished items included IR timers with power supplies, industrial ovens, patient standing support units, multi-monitors, grinder control panels, power units and controllers for tilting beds, heat guns, and rotary tools.

Officials said the equipment had previously been considered unusable and written off. However, the engineering team successfully restored equipment worth nearly Rs. 3 million at a cost of less than Rs. 5,000, resulting in significant savings for the hospital.

The institute is currently working on a second batch of equipment. The engineering team has also agreed to redesign and upgrade specialised assistive-care devices to better support physically challenged patients.

The ministry said a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed soon between the Ministry of Health and Media and the Ministry of Science and Technology to ensure continued technical support for hospitals.

The handover ceremony was attended by Arthur C. Clarke Institute Chairman Prof. Chandana Jayaratne, Director General Kumari Meegahakotuwa, Planning Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology Dr. Prabath Abeysiriwardena, members of the engineering team, and hospital officials.