Philanthropist to complete cancer ward

A philanthropist, from  Nawala has donated  Rs. 75 million for the  completion of the cancer ward of the Badulla Teaching Hospital in honour of his father who lost his life to cancer and his mother.

Although its construction began in 2019 with the involvement of politicians, construction work had come to a halt by 2020 due to the economic crisis, affecting cancer patients deeply.

As the only remaining alternative was to complete construction work, hospital authorities depended on the assistance of private donors under the knowledge of the Health Ministry.

The situation coming to the attention of former Minister  Lakshman Senevirathne prompted him to request Wishwajith Perera, a close friend of his to assist with the matter.

Mr  Senevirathne and Mr  Perera met the Director of the Badulla General Hospital Upul Karunarathne who told them that patients from Uva, Northern, Southern and Central provinces are treated at the hospital, and they are the serve among the top three cancer units in the country.

He further stated that the existing four story ward of 137 beds is insufficient to treat the patients as they occupy corridors due to the lack of accommodation.

The completion of the construction began on September 12 under the guidance of Mr Perera.

He has also provided a purified drinking water unit costing 4.5 million to Rideemaliyadda, a town in the Mahiyanganaya area. 800 families under the Rideemaliyadda Divisional secretariat benefitted from the donation. This too, was done in honour of his parents.

Pix and text by Palitha Ariyawansa