400 thalassemia infusion systems made by Navy handed over to Ministry of Health
Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne symbolically handed over 400 thalassemia infusion systems to the Deputy Director General (Non-Communicable Diseases) of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Champika Wickramasinghe at the Navy Headquarters on 19th October 2022. The infusion systems were produced by the Research and Development Unit of the Navy, under Naval Social Responsibility (NSR) initiatives.
The infusion system is very much essential for thalassemia patients for the removal of excessive iron deposits in blood gathered in vital organs. Since the unit price of an infusion system in the market is generally not affordable, in 2011 the Navy set its mind to manufacture a low-cost thalassemia infusion system. So far, the Sri Lanka Navy has handed over 2774 thalassemia infusion systems to main hospitals and selected children down with the disease, in several phases.
The Navy Research and Development Unit received the CDDA – (Cosmetics Devices & Drugs Regulatory Authority) for production of thalassemia infusion pumps in 2011. Further, Sri Lanka Navy’s social responsibility initiative was recognized with the National Award for Best Medium Size Manufacturer from the Sri Lanka Institute of Engineers in 2012.
Director Naval Policy and Plans, Commodore Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, officers from Navy's Research and Development Unit were present on the occasion which saw the symbolic delivery of 400 thalassemia infusion systems.
