A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today (25) between the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Mass Media, and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) to expand free cardiothoracic surgery services through the facilities of the KDU Teaching Hospital.
The Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd.), Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and KDU Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral H. G. U. Dhammika Kumara signed the agreement on behalf of their respective institutions.
The initiative is being implemented in line with a Cabinet proposal submitted by Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, with the aim of easing congestion and reducing the lengthy waiting list for cardiothoracic surgeries at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL), the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.
Under the agreement, specialist doctors and clinical staff from the NHSL Cardiothoracic Unit will conduct free heart and thoracic surgeries and provide specialised treatment to patients at the KDU Teaching Hospital.
KDU will provide the required infrastructure, medical facilities and specialised equipment, while the Ministry of Health will supply medicines, medical consumables and specialised medical care.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha said the initiative would significantly benefit the public by reducing waiting times and improving access to life-saving cardiac care.
He also highlighted the importance of making optimal use of the modern facilities, infrastructure and medical equipment available at the KDU Teaching Hospital.
Officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Mass Media, and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University were also present at the ceremony.
