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Technical malfunction leaves lives of hundreds of children with cancer at risk

27 March 2024 06:02 am - 14     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Colombo, March 27 (Daily Mirror) - The prolonged breakdown of one of the linear accelerators at the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama, which predominantly treats the pediatric patients has placed hundreds of lives at risk.

Sources familiar with the matter revealed that the linear accelerator, crucial for administering radiotherapy — a vital cancer treatment, has been non-operational since February.

Despite the severity of the situation, the Health Ministry has turned a blind eye by not taking remedial measures to rectify the issue, exacerbating the concerns.

Apeksha Hospital currently houses five linear accelerators, each playing a pivotal role in delivering various treatments. However, the malfunctioning machine holds particular significance for pediatric patients due to its specialized features.

Furthermore, the breakdown has resulted in a backlog of over 500 patients awaiting treatment, plunging many, especially children, into precarious circumstances where their lives hang in the balance.

Sources also noted that private hospitals charge exorbitant fees ranging from Rs 700,000 to Rs 1.7 Million for radiotherapy treatments, placing an immense financial burden on affected families.

When inquired about this from the Health Ministry, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena acknowledged the severity of the situation, admitting that patient lives are indeed at risk.

He reassured that efforts are underway to either repair or replace the malfunctioning machine.


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  Comments - 14

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  • Dee Wednesday, 27 March 2024 07:27 AM

    Instead of having roadshows around the country side and around the world (elections not yet announced) can’t the people (who loves the people) fund this machine? Pathetic! Even more pathetic are those who support them terrorists!

    Sam Silva Wednesday, 27 March 2024 05:40 PM

    Yes. We have millionaires and billionaires only to boast

    Rip Winkle Wednesday, 27 March 2024 08:21 AM

    Irradiation treatment uses linear accelerators to expose gems and other precious stones to high-energy electrons for enhancement, and not too long ago some employees of the said cancer institute were apprehended by the authorities for using these equipment for these purposes. Just saying.

    Sam Silva Wednesday, 27 March 2024 05:39 PM

    Yes. Very true This machine is used for other purposes such as gems during night times when it's not being used for the patients.

    Sokrates Wednesday, 27 March 2024 08:48 AM

    This is because Ranil is diverting funds earmarked for health services and buying instead fuel and LPG to avoid queues and keep the population calm, especially before the elections. This shows that human lives are unimportant to him.

    Ronnie Wednesday, 27 March 2024 12:00 PM

    We have niglected health system in the country something need done urgently to improve the sector we should request all nessorory equipments from usa.japan.germany.mexico on a scheme to pay of the laterst equipments directly to help people who need urgently treated mr president have a great relationship with above countries it can not only improve but also provide very important service to the health sector and the public who desperately needed...

    Nimal Wednesday, 27 March 2024 12:20 PM

    Needless to say, for this sordid government and its equally wretched minister of health, letting the government party mps enjoy life is more important than looking after the health of children. Treatment ceased from February this year and nearly 500 (five hundred) children, fighting between life and death. What a crime.

    Premalal Perera Wednesday, 27 March 2024 12:50 PM

    Maybe the damage is particularly done to make the private hospitals flurish.

    Ron Wednesday, 27 March 2024 01:11 PM

    When things go wrong its Ranil a captain of a ship dont attaint to fix everything thats go wrong there's 1st 2nd 3 rd in charge to fix accordingly whiting the ship who are professionals we dont have the sectors and portfolios done the same way so its create major issues when shit hit the ceyling....Ranil can fix when he gets his own team behind..

    Seqi Wednesday, 27 March 2024 02:02 PM

    Maintenance is the first casualty in difficult times.

    Private Donors Wednesday, 27 March 2024 02:34 PM

    Where are these past and present useless health ministers? Don't meet public on the roads alone, as you people deserve to be hammered. What is the contingency plan in a situation like this?

    JUST A THOUGHT Wednesday, 27 March 2024 02:43 PM

    LIVE SAVING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT SHOULD BE A PRIORITY OF THE GOVERNMENT. WE HAVE MILLIONS OF POOR CITIZENS THAN RICH, ANY DELAY IN PURCHASING NEW REPLACEMENTS WILL ONLY SEE PATIENTS SUFFER AND SOME MAY DIE. ALSO PARENTS AND FAMILIES OF THE PATIENTS UNABLE TO GET THEIR TREATMENTS SINCE FEBRUARY WILL BE SUFFERING MENTALLY AND END UP MENTAL WRECKS WHICH WILL PUT A DRAIN ON THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM, WHICH IS ALREADY BROKEN. SWIFT ACTION IS URGENTLY REQUIRED., CAN THE HOSSPITAL PUT UP A "GO FUND URGENT CANCER EQUIPMENT" AND HOPEFULLY THE RICH CAN HELP THE POOR"

    Seyed Zafar Khan Wednesday, 27 March 2024 07:59 PM

    The minister of health should take responsibility for this delay and immediately resign from his post.

    Ram Thursday, 28 March 2024 04:00 AM

    Why must the health treat this issue as urgent when facility is available at Private Hospitals. Those who cannot afford treatment at private Hospitals or have 3 meals a day can depart early. That is the chorus of RW government when increased taxes found people starving.


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