Extending A Helping Hand to Cancer Patients
Once cancer was termed as an incurable disease. With the development of modern technology, new medical equipment and methodology were invented to treat it. PET scanner invention is a blessing under disguise. But the cost Rs200 million is beyond the reach of a Government hospital, which operates on annual government grant. But private hospitals which charge patients dearly managed to acquire PET scanner and charge Rs 150,000 per scan. A cancer patient is required to take at least 10 scans, which cost Rs1.5 million. Hence, 99% of cancer patients cannot afford this huge amount, only the rich can afford to obtain PET scanner facility. Most of cancer and would be cancer patients are below the poverty line, who visits Maharagama Cancer Hospital (APEKSHA Hospital). Unfortunately this only Government Cancer hospital doesn’t have a PET scanner, which can diagnose CANCER with 97 % Accuracy. What the Doctors at Maharagama Cancer Hospital now do is adapting “trial and error” or “guess work” when treating patients. A PET scanner can save thousands of cancer patients from their sufferings. It is our bounden duty to extend our helping hand in raising funds to purchase and donate a PET scanner to APEKSHA Hospital. An awareness programme to fight cancer In Srilanka is organized at 1600 hrs on 4th March 2016 at BMICH. All are invited to participate in this noble attempt.