News
10-storey cancer unit at Karapitiya yet to get off ground; fast turning into mosquito-breeding site
View(s):- Discussions on providing labour to construct building falls by the wayside, no work on site for over one year
By Nadia Fazlulhaq
“The number of cancer patients in the South is growing daily. Unfortunately what we see of a proposed multi storey cancer hospital are rusting reinforcement bars. Both the government and fundraisers should accelerate the project. Too many cancer patients are suffering in cramped oncology wards at the Karapitiya Hospital,” lamented Cancer Society’s Galle branch presidents Ven. Thalangalle Vijitha Thera President.
The Thera was referring to the major fundraiser project ‘Trail 2016’ launched with the intention of building a ten storey cancer hospital in Galle. However work on the project has stalled for almost a year, the Sunday Times learns 
The first Trail Sri Lanka walk organised by the Colours of Courage Trust in 2011 was able to draw over 30,000 walkers. The walk that started from Dondra Head reached Point Pedro in 28 days and raised US dollars 2.6 million that was utilised to build the Tellipalai Trail Cancer Hospital in Jaffna.
“The hospital came as a blessing to many cancer patients not only from the North but also from nearby North Western, North Central and Eastern provinces. The project was completed in 2014. We then got requests from government ministers including former President Maitripala Sirisena then Health Minister. They highlighted the need for a cancer hospital in the South. This led to “Trail 2016-The Walk Back,” said Trail co-founder Sarinda Unamboowe.
Held from October 6 to November 2 in 2016, the walk from Point Pedro to Dondra Head was launched to rainse five million US dollars. Over 75,000 people joined the walk with over 250,000 donors contributing to the construction of the cancer hospital in Galle.
With former cricket captain Mahela Jayawardena being a trustee and the face of Trail 2016 there was a lot of public enthusiasm.
The intention was to build the Karapitiya Trail Cancer Hospital as an auxiliary unit to the existing Cancer Unit at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital. The proposed 10 storey treatment facility was to have five floors of oncology wards with 160 beds, two surgical theatres, a surgical ICU, bone marrow transplant unit, radiology and chemotherapy units, paediatric ward, outpatient (OPD) clinic and a pharmacy, Mr. Unamboowe said.
“The signing of the MoU between the Health Ministry and our Trust took two long years and was eventually signed in 2018. We agreed to build the foundation, which we did in 2019. The Health Ministry agreed to construct the building and provide labour. We were to provide material and equipment. We have met Presidents, Health Ministers and top military officials numerous times. With the rupee devaluing and cost of construction material skyrocketing, we are concerned whether we can achieve the initial target of building a 10-storey fully equipped cancer hospital,” Mr. Unamboowe said.
The Colours of Courage Trust was to contribute five million US dollars to the 10 million US dollar construction project. As agreed, the Trust got the pile foundation done at a cost of Rs. 360 million. This was completed last year. Since then little has happened.
This week, the Public Health Inspectors warned that the construction site could become a mosquito breeding ground. The trust had to allocate Rs.500,000 to build a temporary drain preventing the place from turning into a dengue hotspot.
“We are planning to meet the present Health Minister and also President Wickremesinghe and look for all possible ways to get the project completed. We have donors willing to support in purchasing cancer diagnostic tools and medical equipment. At present there is a huge backlog of patients for MRI’s and other tests,” he said.
Karapitiya Hospital former director Dr. Shelton Perera said during his tenure discussions were held about providing labour to construct the building.
“Initially discussions were held on getting military assistance to build the hospital as the manpower cost was very high in the private sector. But a final decision was not announced,” he said.
Sri Lanka’s first palliative care centre was opened at Karapitiya Hospital in 2020 with the Navy volunteering to provide labour and technical support.
Additional reporting by Amarajeewa Rajakaruna
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