The Kalubowila Teaching Hospital today (30) unveiled a newly established Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab), Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA Unit), and Lithotripsy Unit under a Rs. 555 million investment, marking another milestone in Sri Lanka’s drive to modernize its free healthcare system with advanced technology.
Speaking at the opening, Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa said that the government hospital network will expand its Cath Lab capacity to 26 units by the end of this year.
Currently, 10 units are in operation, with 16 more to be added across major hospitals nationwide. Four new Cath Labs are expected to be commissioned within this week, aimed at reducing waiting lists and providing timely treatment.
The Minister noted that Rs. 3,103 million will be spent to increase Cath Lab facilities, with funding from the Treasury, the Asian Development Bank, and the JICA concessionary loan project.
Units are planned for Colombo, Kandy, and Galle national hospitals, as well as Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Badulla, Ratnapura, Anuradhapura, Kurunegala, and Jaffna.
Highlighting demographic pressures, Dr. Jayatissa pointed out that Colombo and Gampaha districts together house 4.8 million people, creating a relative shortage of tertiary‑level hospitals compared to demand.
He stressed the need for additional tertiary hospitals in Colombo under future national plans. (Newswire)