Radiation treatments at the cancer unit of the Galle National Hospital in Karapitiya are facing a standstill after the Linear Accelerator device at the unit has been out of order since April 23.

According to the Government Radiological Technologists Association (GRTA) President – Chanaka Dharmawickrama, the malfunction is due to a malfunctioning of the Chiller established at the unit.  Linear accelerators and chillers are often used together in medical settings, particularly for radiation therapy. Chillers help maintain the optimal temperature for the linear accelerator, which is crucial for its operation and the accuracy of treatments. The cost of such a Chiller is nearly Rs.800 million, reports say.

Due to this being the only Linear Accelerator device in the Southern Province, a large number of patients are seriously affected.

There are 10 Linear Accelerator devices in hospitals in Sri Lanka. There are 05 in Apeksha Hospital, 02 at Kandy Hospital, and one each at the Galle Hospital, Jaffna Hospital and Batticaloa Hospital.

The GRTA points out that 04 out of these 10 Linear Accelerators are currently out of order with the main reason being the improper maintenance of temperature and humidity conditions in the units the devices are housed in.

The GRTA warns that frequent breakdowns caused by poor maintenance of environmental controls, have shortened the machines’ lifespan and led to repeated treatment disruptions.
The association warns that continued neglect of repairs will jeopardize both the machines’ longevity and the ability to provide uninterrupted treatment for patients.

Ongoing machine failures are causing further delays, forcing cancer patients to wait several months for radiation treatment.

Private sector treatment for cancer patients could cost between Rs.500,000 and Rs.1.7 million, an amount beyond the reach of most Sri Lankans.

Thundershowers accompanied by severe lightning are likely to occur at several places in Eastern, Uva, Central, Northern and North-central provinces and in Hambantota district, the Department of Meteorology warns.

There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers, it added.

Therefore, the general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.

The Met Department urged the public to seek shelter, preferably indoors, to avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.

The public has also been advised not to use wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.

Three Sri Lankan nationals, including a woman who was abducted for ransom in Bangladesh have been rescued by Bangladeshi police. 

According to local media reports, the trio had travelled to Bangladesh at the invitation of a friend they had met on social media.

The police have detained three local people, including the person who sent them the invitation, in connection with the abduction, Bangladeshi Deputy Inspector General of Police (Khulna range) Mohammad Rezaul Haque has confirmed to local journalists.

The four arrested Bangladeshi Kazi Emdad Hossain, Shahidul Sheikh, Jony Sheikh, and SM Shamsul Alam contacted the families of the Sri Lankan nationals from a local phone number, and demanded ransom, Bangladesh’s newspaper, The Daily Star reported.

Later, the three Sri Lankans were found at the home of Emdad Kazi at South Ambari village in the Upazila, according to Touhidul Arif, Superintendent of Police in Bagerhat district of Bangladesh.

“Recently, Emdad became acquainted with the three Sri Lankan nationals on social media. Emdad invited them to Bangladesh with talk of business opportunities. The three Sri Lankan nationals arrived in Bangladesh on Tuesday. They were taken hostage after arriving in the country,” Bangladeshi media outlet bdnews24 reported, quoting SP Touhidul Arif.

“Members of their families called from Sri Lanka and informed us that they had been kidnapped. They had been told they would not be let go without a ransom. They were taken to Bagerhat’s Mollahat on Wednesday night,” the police official added.

(Agencies)