NCCSL promotes Heart-to-Heart fund

The National Chamber of Commerce of Sri Lanka (NCCSL) and the Heart-to-Heart Trust Fund, have launched a program to conduct free heart surgery for the poor and underprivileged.

A seminar 'Bypass Heart Surgery' will be held on Friday, December 4 from 3-5 p.m at the Chamber auditorium, D. R. Wijewardene Mawatha, Colombo 10, to promote the Fund.

A panel of doctors will make presentations on important topics. Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon, Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, Dr. Rajitha de Silva, will speak on Bypass Heart Surgery - advantages and risks, Keyhole coronary bypass surgery, Robotic arm assisted minimally invasive cardiac surgery (the smallest incision to provide the safest and most successful surgery).

Consultant Cardiologist, Dr. Ruwan Ekanayake will speak on all aspects of heart diseases, prevention and care.

Heart-to-Heart Trust Fund was co-founded by the two dedicated doctors, Dr Rajitha de Silva and his guru Dr Ruwan Ekanayake, to help the poor and underprivileged who cannot afford to meet the heavy financial costs to have heart surgery, fully paid by the fund.

Money donated by well-wishers, entrepreneurs and the public to this Fund is used to conduct free surgery. Another significant feature at the SJGH is keyhole coronary bypass surgery performed for the first time in January this year by Dr Rajitha de Silva, a trailblazer in government-sector hospitals.

Chairman, Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital, Dr Athula Kahandaliyanege and Director, Dr. Susitha Senaratne, are also due to speak at the seminar.