Lanka doctors in US donate machines to advance mental health treatment

Colombo, Feb. 22 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lankan Medical Association of North America (SLMANA) has donated two Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) machines to Sri Lanka, with one machine going to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo and the other to Jaffna Hospital in Jaffna, marking a significant advancement in mental health treatment options available across the country.

TMS is a non-invasive, US-approved treatment for depression and other neuropsychiatric conditions that uses magnetic pulses to stimulate specific brain regions. The therapy has shown particular effectiveness for patients with treatment-resistant depression who haven’t responded to traditional medications.

“Access to advanced mental health treatments remains critically limited in Sri Lanka,” said Dr. Tarique Perera, President of SLMANA and Founding President of the Clinical TMS Society. “These TMS machines will provide evidence-based treatment options to patients who previously had few alternatives beyond medication and psychotherapy.”

Dr. Shehan Williams of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka will lead the local team providing the treatments in Colombo. The donation supports both institutions in expanding their psychiatric care capabilities, with the Jaffna Hospital installation improving access to specialized mental health care in the Northern Province, where treatment resources have historically been more limited.

SLMANA, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, continues its tradition of supporting healthcare infrastructure in Sri Lanka. The organization connects Sri Lankan medical professionals across North America while coordinating charitable initiatives that address critical healthcare gaps in their homeland.

The TMS machines are expected to be operational within the coming months, with plans for training local psychiatrists and mental health professionals in proper administration of the treatment protocol.