Sri Lanka has received a donation of essential cancer medicines worth Rs. 330 million from a US-based charitable organisation, while an agreement has also been signed to provide 600 specialised wheelchairs for patients with spinal cord injuries.
The donation was made by Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC), affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the Ministry of Health and Mass Media on Wednesday (14).
According to the Ministry, the donated medicines include several essential oncology drugs, such as Oxaliplatin 100mg injections, Abiraterone 250mg tablets and Methotrexate 500mg/5ml injections, intended for the treatment of cancer patients in Sri Lanka.
The medicines were officially handed over to Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe by LDSC Asia Area Director Lui Wing Chung Mickey and Asia Area Manager Apapohn Pinsakol Saengsin at the Ministry premises.
During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between the Ministry and the US-based organisation for the donation of 600 specialised wheelchairs to rehabilitation hospitals and centres treating patients with spinal cord injuries.
The wheelchair donation marks the second phase of the organisation’s humanitarian assistance programme in Sri Lanka.
Under the first phase in 2023, LDSC donated 570 wheelchairs, which have since been distributed to patients through rehabilitation centres across the country.
The latest programme will also include specialised training for healthcare personnel on wheelchair prescription, use and repairs, in accordance with World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines.
Doctors, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and wheelchair workshop staff are expected to receive training under the initiative.
Meanwhile, the Ministry noted that LDSC had also donated essential cancer medicines worth approximately US$ 2 million (Rs. 660 million) to Sri Lanka over the past two years.
In recognition of the latest donation, a special Certificate of Appreciation arranged by Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa was presented to the organisation’s Asia Area Director by Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe. (Newswire)
