The Defence Ministry, Health Ministry, and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University have established a partnership to increase cardiothoracic surgery capacity at KDU Teaching Hospital, aiming to reduce patient waiting times at the National Hospital.
A tripartite Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Health and Mass Media, and General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) to expand free cardiothoracic surgery services. The agreement was formalised by Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Health Ministry Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe, and KDU Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral H. G. U. Dhammika Kumara.
Under the arrangement, the initiative aims to alleviate congestion at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) by utilising KDU Teaching Hospital's facilities to conduct additional free heart and thoracic surgeries. The plan follows a Cabinet proposal submitted by Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa and is intended to address the lengthy waiting list for cardiothoracic procedures.
According to the Defence Ministry, the partnership will involve specialist doctors and clinical staff from the Cardiothoracic Unit of the National Hospital performing surgeries at KDU Teaching Hospital. KDU will supply the necessary infrastructure, medical equipment, and specialised facilities, while the Health Ministry will provide medicines, medical supplies, and specialised medical care to patients undergoing treatment under this arrangement.
