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| Sunday, 9 November 2003 |
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| News Business Features Editorial
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The beginning of the HOPE dream The long wait is over and hope is beginning to peer from the horizon. For cancer patients and those looking early diagnosis, November 11 will certainly be a day to remember. Minister of Health P. Dayaratne will lay the "mul gal" of the Hope Cancer Hospital at 10.40 a.m. on this day. Present on the occasion will be the Deputy Minister of Health, Health Ministry officials, the Sri Lankan Cricketers, the Lions and the general public to witness this memorable moment. "With over one year of numerous fund-raisers, appeals and personal loan contributions, we have presently a total collection of approximately Rs. 25 million," said Mahesh Pasqual, Chairman of Hope Cancer Hospital. "We have also firm pledges of around Rs. 225 million - 50 million from Sri Lankan Airlines, 25 million from Bank of Ceylon and a personal contribution of Rs. 150 million from Shukri Yahya from the U.A.E. Our required sum for Phase 1 is Rs. 350 - 400 million... But, the decision has been made to boldly go ahead with our plan. We are not without 'hope' that the rest of the finances required by us will flow in from those who believe in us and have the ability to help in achieving this dream." Statistics reveal one in every ten deaths in Sri Lanka as being caused by Cancer. It is ironic that almost 70% of all cancer patients can be cured if the disease is diagnosed and treated in time. The Maharagama Cancer Hospital, Sri Lanka's only and fully-fledged national cancer hospital is sadly inadequate in many necessities. The lack of modern equipment, inadequate accommodation facilities and the best medicine, coupled with the high number of cancer patients far outweighs its ability to diagnose and treat cancer victims in time. Even though the hospital has a capacity to treat only 650 patients at a time, there are up to 850 being treated. The actual demand far exceeds this. The HOPE Cancer Hospital will have an estimated 750 beds of which 450 will be constructed in the 1st Phase. It will be equipped with the latest facilities along with an iodine ward and space for two radiotherapy machines. The hospital will cater to patients from every section of society free of charge. The 2nd phase will further equip this hospital with modern diagnostic facilities and treatment and ancillary facilities while the third phase will include a further 300 beds. The HOPE Cancer Hospital will augment the existing facilities available at Maharagama. On completion of the new cancer unit, it will be handed back to the Ministry of Health and will be run by authorities at the Cancer Institute, Maharagama. The total cost of the project will be approximately Sri Lankan Rupees 750 million (USD 8 million). This massive project is an undertaking by the Sri Lanka Cricketers' Association along with the Lion's Club of Colombo Somerset, District 306B. The Sri Lanka National Cricketers are also helping raise funds for the project. Mr. Pasqual added "We make a heart-felt appeal to you, to contribute to this worthy cause. Your generosity will without a doubt assist us in getting closer to our dream of providing and facilitating the required treatment and medication to the less fortunate people of our country. Join hands with us to fight this dreaded disease which have taken the lives of so many and saddened the hearts of those of us who survive to experience the pain and loss of those taken away from us". |
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