In the absence of public funding Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital in Seeduwa has sought the assistance of the private sector to secure a Green Laser Machine (GLM) required to provide preventive laser treatment for patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that could lead to permanent blindness unless treated promptly.

On a request made by Neil Umagiliya, acting Chairman of Board of Directors at the Seeduwa Hospital, the ATG Group of Companies recently donated a state-of-the-art GLM to the Hospital in line with the ‘ATG Suraksha’ Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative. Valued at Rs. 12.8 mn, the machine would allow the hospital to resume services immediately.

One of the two government hospitals that offered ‘Vitrectomy’, an eye surgery to reverse and prevent the effects of diabetic retinopathy, the Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital had to suspend the services after its only GLM was declared not usable.

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The company said that the top management decided to intervene immediately after the hospital brought to their notice the patients had to join a three-year-long waiting list at the National Eye Hospital in Colombo for the procedure.

Dr. Chamara Kumarage, Consultant Eye and Vitreoretinal Surgeon of Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital said, “The incidence of diabetes is increasing among young people, especially in the age group of 25-35. One of the complications that can arise after approximately ten years of having diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. While cataracts can be treated with surgery to restore vision, diabetic retinopathy will cause irreversible damage to the eyes, if we don’t act quickly. This is why this machine plays a crucial role in preventing such complications.”

Apart from ensuring over 80 vitrectomies with only a two-month waiting list, the hospital also conducts 700-800 cataract surgeries, every month.

Addressing the handing-over ceremony, Fazal Abdeen – Managing Director of the ATG Group of Companies said: “It gives me great pleasure to see our CSR banner here. ATG Suraksha (our community support programme) continues with its true vision of serving humanity. Whenever we establish ourselves at one of the BOI zones in Sri Lanka, we reach out to the neighbouring community to carry out our projects. Community hospitals play a major part in our mission. We have ongoing projects to help hospitals in Wathupitiwala, Koggala, Katunayake and now here in Seeduwa. Giving back to society is essential as we achieve success, and as it helps sustain the ecosystem we live in.”