Mirigama Kidney Stone Centre to open on July 12

Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa will inaugurate the “Mirigama National Kidney Stone Treatment Centre” on July 12, marking a major step in addressing one of Sri Lanka’s most common medical conditions. The new centre is expected to ease the burden on the country’s overstretched urology services by serving thousands of patients nationwide and reducing the current waiting list of more than 5,000 individuals awaiting kidney stone removal surgery. According to the Health Ministry, Kidney Stone Disease remains one of Sri Lanka’s most common medical conditions. Although the country operates more than 30 specialist urology units staffed by specialist urological surgeons, demand for treatment far exceeds capacity. Limited infrastructure, a shortage of operating theatres, and restricted access to modern endourological technology have driven this gap. Authorities estimate that over 5,000 patients currently await kidney stone removal surgery nationwide. To address this challenge, the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Task Force reviewed proposals and, on the instructions of Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, developed the concept of a dedicated centralised treatment centre for kidney stone patients with support from the Sri Lanka Association of Urological Surgeons (SLAUS). SLAUS has continuously provided the necessary technical support for the project. The initiative forms a practical national strategy for reducing surgical waiting lists. Under the scheme, specialist urological surgeons working across the island can bring their patients to the centre and perform surgeries efficiently using modern technical facilities. Notably, the centre will open its doors to all specialist urological surgeons working within the government health service. Prominent entrepreneur Engineer Nahil Wijesuriya also supported the centre’s establishment by providing essential modern equipment and technical facilities. (Newswire)