On average, about 2000 Sri Lankan patients are diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure every year, the majority of them from the North Central Province (NCP).
A few years ago Dr. A.M.L. Beligaswatte and Dr. Tilak Abeyesekera of the National Kidney Foundation, were instrumental in the successful completion of a Nephrology and Renal Care Unit in Kandy. The next project saw a Renal Care and Renal Research Centre being established in Anuradhapura to treat the many patients in the NCP.
Now in operation, the centre provides treatment while also conducting research and awareness programmes for people in the region.
"Despite the success of the new hospital so far, it is still in need of one vital feature- an operating theatre," says Dr. Beligaswatte. "The patients from the NCP who are in need of surgery or dialysis need to make the long journey to Kandy, and some of them find it impossible to do this. So a new operating theatre is an urgent need."
This new project has been faced with many challenges, particularly with funding. "Our plan is to install two of the latest in modular theatres," continues Dr. Beligaswatte. "The equipment required ranges from tables, lamps, diathermy machines, anaesthetic machines and X-ray illuminators, to name a few."
The foundation hopes to raise a total of Rs. 30 million in order to complete the new structure, and appeals to the public to contribute generously to this worthy cause.
Cheques could be drawn in favour of the National Kidney Foundation A/C Super Grade Branch, Bank of Ceylon, Kandy, and posted to Upali Salgado, JP, at No. 29, Deal Place (A), Colombo 3. Cash donations could be sent with the donor's full name and address, and a receipt will be posted back to the donor. |
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