Colombo, Oct. 18 (Daily Mirror) - Medical Professionals’ Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights President and medical specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has urged President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to launch an immediate investigation into an alleged move to procure a 17-year-old linear accelerator (LINAC) for the Apeksha Cancer Hospital in Maharagama instead of a modern model.
He has raised concerns over the proposed purchase of the machine, which is used to deliver radiation treatment to cancer patients.
Dr. Sanjeewa alleged that despite the availability of modern equipment, efforts were being made, with the involvement of a biomedical engineering company, to procure an outdated model that is around 17 years old.
The procurement is planned under an Asian Development Bank-funded programme aimed at improving cancer treatment facilities in Sri Lanka.
He claimed that the proposed purchase raised concerns about whether the decision was being influenced by personal interests linked to the supplier. He called on the President to order an independent investigation into the procurement process.
Dr. Sanjeewa also called for a review of the procurement and installation of a recently acquired CT simulation machine at the hospital, alleging that the same company’s role in the process should be examined.
According to Dr. Sanjeewa, the introduction of modern equipment was facing resistance from technical teams at the hospital, delaying its installation. He urged the authorities to investigate whether administrative or technical decisions were hindering the adoption of advanced medical technology.
He warned that procurement decisions influenced by personal relationships rather than patients’ needs could have serious consequences for cancer treatment.
Thousands of patients depend on the Maharagama hospital for cancer care. Dr. Sanjeewa said the authorities should ensure that public funds allocated for cancer treatment were used transparently and that the hospital received equipment suited to current medical needs.
The allegations have prompted calls for greater scrutiny of the procurement process. The claims have not been independently verified, and the relevant authorities and the company concerned should be given an opportunity to respond.