First Lady hands over 03rd Consignment of Navy’s Thalassemia Drug Infusion Systems to Government Hospitals
First Lady Madam Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa, who is an Advisor to the United Nations Programme for Child and Child Nutrition related to Thalassemia in South Asia as well as Thalassemia Prevention in Sri Lanka, handed over the 03rd consignment of Thalassemia drug infusion systems produced by the Sri Lanka Navy to government hospitals at a function held in the Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake Auditorium at SLNS Parakrama on 08th May 2014. Secretary of Ministry of Health, Dr. Nihal Jayathileke, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Navy Seva Vanitha Unit President, Mrs. Srima Colombage, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Director General Health Services of the Navy, Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard, senior naval officers attached to the Naval Headquarters and officials from the Ministry of Health were also among the distinguished guests who attended the function.
Addressing the distinguished gathering, Secretary to the Ministry of Health, Dr. Jayathilake commended the Navy’s laudable efforts in providing the much needed Thalassemia drug infusion systems to government hospitals. At a time when the free medical service of the country being strengthened under the blessing of the His Excellency the President, the Navy’s contribution to the Nation’s health sector has to be appreciated by all, he further stated.
The infusion system is very essential for Thalassemia patients for the removal of excessive iron deposits gathered in vital organs as a result of frequent blood transfusions which are needed for the treatment of the disease. It is donated to the hospitals free of charge as a part of the Sri Lanka Navy’s social responsibility projects.
At the function, a total of 250 drug infusion systems were handed over for the distribution among the hospitals in the Kurunegala, Anuradhapura, Badulla, Ragama, Kandy, Chilaw and Ampara areas. In a symbolic gesture, ten (10) young Thalassemia patients were presented with Navy’s drug infusion systems.
The system was developed by the Research and Development Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy. It has brought about a great deal of relief to many patients who cannot afford the expensive systems available in the market. The Navy's drug infusion system has been manufactured at a relatively low unit cost of approximately Rs. 4,500/= whereas imported equipment of its kind cost over Rs. 60,000/=. The low-cost infusion system, another feat in the Navy’s technological success, is today being used successfully under the Health Ministry guidelines in government hospitals and reports have confirmed it as the most effective equipment in use in Sri Lanka. The system has also won the Engineering Excellence Award from the Institution of Engineers of Sri Lanka (IESL) for its manufacturing excellence.
The Navy donated the first stock of 150 infusion systems free of charge to the hospitals on 28th July 2011 at a ceremony held with Secretary of Defence, Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest. The second stock consisting 200 infusion systems was donated to the hospitals on 16th May 2012 with the First Lady Madam Shiranthi Wickremasinghe Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest.
The Navy plans to meet the entire requirement of the drug infusion systems in the country and provide them to the patients free of charge bringing solace to the beneficiaries and their loved ones.
Sri Lanka Navy fulfils its national obligations in many spheres and contributes to the development of the country utilizing its personnel and assets. Its venturing into the field of medical research and technology sets an example for other institutions and professionals as well. With many inventions and achievements to its credit, SLN will continue to serve the nation in the same vein as it did to liberate the nation from terrorism.
