A Philips Azurion 3M12 angiography machine has been donated by the Herz Clinic Foundation, Zurich, Switzerland, to the Teaching Hospital, Karapitiya.
The project was initiated by Swiss citizens Rudolf Albert Gauhl and Hui Min Dias Bandaranayake through the Heart Clinic Foundation, Zurich, who emphasized the transformative potential of the new technology.
The donation was facilitated by the local agent in collaboration with Technomedics International, Battaramulla, who successfully handled and cleared the sensitive air freight shipment, weighing nearly five tonnes, which arrived in Colombo on 29 November. The process was completed in record time, thanks to the excellent cooperation of the Ministry of Health, Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena, and his team, along with other relevant authorities.
At the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, under the direction of Dr. Udesh Ranga, comprehensive preparatory work is being carried out to install the new unit.
“In Sri Lanka, the burden of cardiovascular diseases is very high. The Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, being the only state hospital in the region, faces extremely long waiting times, and our existing angiography machine can no longer meet the growing demand,” said Dr. Udesh Ranga, Director of the hospital.
“The waiting list extends to patients from the Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces as well. The installation of this new unit will help clear this backlog and, most importantly, save lives.”
Angiography systems are advanced X-ray devices that visualize blood vessels using contrast agents, enabling accurate diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
The project was initiated by Swiss citizens Rudolf Albert Gauhl and Hui Min Dias Bandaranayake through the Heart Clinic Foundation, Zurich, who emphasized the transformative potential of the new technology.
“This donation will allow treatment capacities to double at Karapitiya,” they said. “In addition to donating the equipment, the Foundation will also facilitate training programs for local cardiologists and heart specialists, with regular visits from experts of the Heart Clinic Foundation.”
The official handover of the new angiographyh theatre is scheduled to take place on 26 November, with the participation of Prof. Juerg Gruenenfelder, Prof. Christophe Wyss, and Prof. Patric Biaggi from Switzerland.
Director Karapitiya Hospital, Dr. Udesh Ranga with Rudolf Albert Gauhl.