– Several advanced patient care facilities, including a newly established cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab), at the South Colombo Teaching Hospital, Kalubowila, will be officially opened for public use on June 30 under the patronage of Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.The facilities have been established under a new program launched on the instructions of the Minister to enhance the efficiency of diagnostic and treatment services in Sri Lanka’s healthcare system.Hospital Director Dr. Sagari Kiriwandeniya said the new facilities include a Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab), a Digital Subtraction Angiography (DSA) Unit, and a Lithotripsy Unit for the treatment of kidney and urinary tract stones.The opening marks another significant step in strengthening treatment services for heart and vascular diseases in the country. Four modern cath labs are being added to the government hospital network this week, with the cath lab at the Teaching Hospital, Jaffna, already opened on June 27.

The Ministry of Health and Mass Media also plans to commission two additional cath labs at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka in Colombo, along with the new facility at the South Colombo Teaching Hospital, within the week.According to the Ministry, the advanced catheterisation systems are equipped with artificial intelligence-based real-time imaging technology, enabling high-quality imaging while significantly reducing radiation exposure during fluoroscopy procedures.The Ministry said the establishment of these specialised diagnostic and treatment units is expected to reduce waiting lists in government hospitals and provide patients with faster, more accessible and more accurate diagnosis and treatment.