News
National Blood Transfusion Service on lookout for new refrigerator system
Director of the National Blood Transfusion Service Dr. Lakshman Edirisinghe recently expressed concerns about the high maintenance costs associated with the existing blood bank refrigerators, which are over 15 years old.
Speaking to the media in Colombo, Dr. Edirisinghe said that despite this issue, the National Blood Transfusion Service has ample storage capacity to meet the demand for blood.The storage of blood components relies on various equipment, including blood refrigerators, plasma freezers, and platelet agitators. While they have sufficient ultra-low temperature (ULT) refrigerators that were previously used for storing COVID-19 vaccines during the pandemic, the ULT freezers responsible for storing blood units at -20°C and -40°C are more than 15 years old.
Although some of these freezers, running for over 20 years, are still in good working condition, managing service agreements for such old freezer equipment across the 109 blood banks in the country has become challenging, he said.
The absence of service agreements forces the National Blood Transfusion Service to bear significant maintenance costs for the ULT freezers. Additionally, due to the economic downturn, the importation of various items, including spare parts for the ULT freezers, has been banned.
As a result, Dr. Edirisinghe emphasized the need for a new freezer system, acknowledging the challenges associated with acquiring one. However, the Treasury has provided the necessary funds to address this issue, and the National Blood Transfusion Service is currently preparing a proposal to request a new freezer system to meet future requirements.
INS Sindhukesari, a submarine serving in the Indian Navy, arrived at the port of Colombo on 03 May 26 to undertake Operational Turnarounds.
The visiting submarine was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in precision with naval traditions.
Throughout its stay in the island, the submarine’s crew is scheduled to participate in a variety of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, including visits to several tourist attractions in Sri Lanka.
Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation, officially visited the Russian House in Colombo to attend the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum, where members of the Sri Lanka Russia Business Council and graduates from the Association of Sri Lankan Graduates from Socialist countries (ASLGSC) attended.
This historic gathering was graced by rectors and representatives from several world-class Russian medical institutions, including Kursk State Medical University, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, and Tver State Medical University, among others.
The forum commenced with an address by Minister Murashko, during which Russian medical graduates in attendance raised pertinent questions regarding medical and pharmaceutical sector opportunities in Sri Lanka.
Levan Dzhagaryan, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives, together with Madam Maria L. Popova, Counsellor of the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka & the Maldives and Director of the Russian House in Colombo, graced the occasion. Both officials expressed strong support for continued collaboration and future initiatives between the two nations.
The official appointment letters for the members of the newly established “Cricket Transformation Committee” (CTC) were handed over on Monday (04) by the Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil Kumara Gamage.
The following members received their letters of appointment at the Ministry premises:
Sidath Wettimuny
Thushira Radella
Prakash Schaffter
Ms. Avanthi Colombage
The Ministry also noted that veteran cricketers Roshan Mahanama and Kumar Sangakkara, who are key members of the committee, are currently overseas. Their official appointments will be formalised immediately upon their arrival in Sri Lanka.
The Cricket Transformation Committee has been mandated to oversee the administration and drive structural reforms within Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in accordance with the powers vested in the Minister under the Sports Act No. 25 of 1973.
INS Sindhukesari arrives in Colombo
Minister of Health of the Russian Federation attends the Sri Lanka–Russia Medical Forum
Members of Sri Lanka Cricket Transformation Committee Officially Appointed
Three prison guards arrested following the death of an inmate
Showers or thundershowers will occur at most places of the island after 1.00 pm.
CJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
Sunday Island 27 December – Headlines
#SundayIsland 17th December – Headlines
Sunday Island – 28th March
Sunday Island Headlines – 21 March
Sunday Island – 21st February – Headlines
-
News7 days agoTreasury chief’s citizenship details sought from Australia
-
News6 days agoRooftop Solar at Crossroads as Sri Lanka Shifts to Distributed Energy Future
-
News5 days ago“Three-in-one blood pressure pill can significantly reduce risk of recurrent strokes”
-
News7 days agoCentral Province one before last in AL results
-
News24 hours agoCJ urged to inquire into AKD’s remarks on May 25 court verdict
-
Sports7 days agoWell done AKD!
-
News2 days agoUSD 3.7 bn H’tota refinery: China won’t launch project without bigger local market share
-
News5 days agoAlarm raised over plan to share Lanka’s biometric data with blacklisted Indian firm