Apeksha Hospital CT crisis has left over 800 cancer patients waiting as unions allege delays in accepting a newly installed machine.
The Apeksha Hospital CT crisis has left more than 800 cancer patients stranded, raising serious questions over administrative malpractice, hidden influence and possible private-sector interests inside Sri Lanka’s main cancer hospital.
Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama is the final hope for thousands of helpless patients fighting for their lives. Yet today, allegations of administrative hypocrisy and partisan influence suggest that those hopes are being pushed towards disaster. The revelation made by the Government Radiological Technologists’ Association on the 26th exposes a national tragedy that should shame the country.
Linear Accelerator radiation therapy is one of the most important scientific treatments available for cancer patients. Before that therapy can be given, a “CT Simulation” test is compulsory to identify the exact location of cancer cells in the body and calculate the required radiation dosage. That test at Apeksha Hospital has now completely broken down. As a result, more than 800 innocent cancer patients remain trapped between life and death.
The Machine Is Ready, But Still Not in Use
The most shocking part is that the modern CT machine required for this test has already been fully installed inside the hospital. The machine is ready. The patients are ready. The technologists are ready. But the service has not begun because the hospital administration has not officially accepted the machine.
Although the Hospital Director appointed a special “Acceptance Committee” in the first week of June to inspect and accept the machine, the committee has remained inactive for several weeks. Trade unions allege that the process is being deliberately delayed due to the personal or professional influence of an invisible and powerful group operating within the hospital.
The question is simple: who is the “black hand” holding a state asset hostage while placing the lives of 800 patients at risk? Is this mere administrative inefficiency, or a conspiracy designed to benefit private medical channeling centres?
Temporary Fixes With the PET Scan
Following strong protests, the hospital administration has taken steps to conduct CT Simulation tests for a small number of the most urgent patients by using the existing PET Scan machine as a substitute. But this is only a temporary patch.
For more than 800 patients waiting in fear, pain and uncertainty, such short-term arrangements cannot provide a sustainable solution. Cancer does not wait for hospital committees to meet. It spreads through the body day by day, hour by hour.
Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa Must Act
People elected a new government and a new Health Minister to clean up this kind of rot within the system. Professional or administrative manipulation that pushes innocent patients into a life-or-death crisis must be investigated and punished, regardless of position or status.
The Government Radiological Technologists’ Association has urgently requested Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa to launch an immediate special investigation into the personal agendas allegedly behind this delay.
NALINDA is a A’hole of the 1st order.