Top oncologist to head new Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre

...the centre’s aim is to provide quality treatment to cancer patients, especially by way of radiation therapy at an affordable price, making it unnecessary for patients to travel overseas for treatment.

Ceylinco Healthcare Services Ltd appointed Dr. Sarath Abeyakoon as Senior Oncologist and medical director of the company’s new Radiation Treatment Centre, an advanced hi-tech radiation therapy facility in the heart of Colombo.

Dr. Abeyakoon, with more than 18 years of experience as a senior consultant in the field of Oncology, served as Consultant Oncologist at the Maharagama Cancer Hospital, the country’s largest facility for the treatment of cancer, and was also the Senior Specialist Medical Officer in charge of the Cancer Unit at Papua New Guinea for three years, according to a company statement.

He was also the Chairman of the Board of Study in Clinical Oncology in Sri Lanka from 2003 to 2006.

CHSL Deputy Chairman R. Renganathan said: “Dr. Abeyakoon brings to this venture his vast experience and knowledge in cancer treatment, and will lead our efforts to make the latest and most effective techniques for the treatment of cancer available in Sri Lanka.”

Scheduled to commence operations in August this year, Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre will be equipped with Sri Lanka’s first Linear Accelerator, the international ‘Gold Standard’ in the delivery of accurate, radiation therapy for the treatment of many forms of cancer. This would include 3D Conformal Radiotherapy and Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy.

Dr. Abeyakoon said the centre’s aim is to provide quality treatment to cancer patients, especially by way of radiation therapy at an affordable price, making it unnecessary for patients to travel overseas for treatment.There is a steady rise in the annual incidence of cancer in Sri Lanka with the number of newly diagnosed cases of cancer reaching 10,925 in 2000. Cancer now ranks fifth in the order of hospital deaths.