Fund Established by the President to Aid Children in Need of Liver Transplants and Cochlear Implants

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed monetary help from the President’s Fund for liver transplant surgical procedures for younger kids on the Ragama Instructing Hospital and cochlear implant surgical procedures on the Sri Jayawardenepura Normal Hospital. This resolution goals to alleviate the monetary burden on impoverished mother and father and help the welfare of youngsters, recognizing their significance for the nation’s future.

Acknowledging the substantial prices related to pre and post-tests and coverings for liver transplant surgical procedures in kids below 16 years outdated on the North Colombo Normal Hospital (Ragama Instructing Hospital), President Wickremesinghe has authorised Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund for every liver transplant surgical procedure assembly widespread situations. This monetary help might be efficient from January 1, 2024, aiming to ease the monetary pressure on households present process these important medical procedures.

President Wickremesinghe’s directive underscores the federal government’s dedication to offering important medical care for youngsters in want, significantly these dealing with life-threatening situations requiring specialised surgical procedures. By using the President’s Fund to help these surgical procedures, the federal government goals to make sure that monetary constraints don’t hinder entry to very important healthcare companies for younger sufferers, thereby safeguarding their well being and future well-being.

Medical exams have revealed that over 200 kids in Sri Lanka require cochlear implant surgical procedure, a process essential for his or her auditory improvement. Whereas in developed international locations, such surgical procedures are promptly carried out at start upon identification of the necessity, in Sri Lanka, not all eligible kids endure this process. It’s emphasised by medical specialists that such operations ought to ideally happen inside two years from start for optimum mind improvement, but the fee is a big barrier, estimated at over Rs 5 million. At present, this surgical procedure is restricted to some authorities hospitals, resulting in ready lists for affected kids.

The cochlear implant surgical procedure is performed on the Sri Jayawardenepura Normal Hospital, with the implant machine valued at roughly Rs. 3-4 million. Though the Ministry of Well being offers the machine to the hospital freed from cost, sufferers are required to cowl the surgical procedure prices, which quantity to Rs. 600,000. This monetary burden underscores the necessity for extra help mechanisms to make sure entry to important healthcare companies for youngsters in want of cochlear implant surgical procedure. To deal with this concern, the Ministry of Well being has sourced the mandatory cochlear implant units, whereas the surgical procedure prices, amounting to Rs. 600,000, might be coated by the President’s Fund. Consequently, the federal government will totally shoulder the bills related to these surgical procedures, that are performed on the Sri Jayawardenepura Normal Hospital.

The choice to forgo cochlear implant surgical procedures for these kids not solely impacts society negatively but additionally strains the healthcare system. Regardless of the appreciable monetary funding required for such procedures, it should be acknowledged that offering monetary help from the President’s Fund for these surgical procedures on younger kids is an funding within the nation’s future. Consequently, President Ranil Wickremesinghe has approved monetary help from the President’s Fund, efficient January 1, 2024, with a most quantity of Rs. 600,000 for cochlear transplant surgical procedures performed on kids on the Sri Jayawardenepura Normal Hospital.