Projects

To maintain the highest standards of cancer care at the National Cancer Institute (Apeksha Hospital), the hospital’s Radiology Department requires modern and reliable diagnostic equipment. At present, the department performs approximately 100 ultrasound scans daily for both outpatient and ward patients. However, the existing ultrasound machines are now over seven years old, and over time their image quality has significantly deteriorated. This decline in performance affects both diagnostic accuracy and operational efficiency. Reduced image clarity can make it more difficult for doctors to detect subtle tumour changes, while slower and aging equipment contributes to longer waiting times for patients who are already undergoing the emotional and physical challenges of cancer treatment. The NCI Ultrasound Initiative aims to address this need by funding and donating new high-specification ultrasound scanners to replace the aging machines currently in use at Apeksha Hospital. Ultrasound technology is a highly effective and cost-efficient diagnostic tool that provides critical imaging for cancer detection and monitoring, without exposing patients to radiation or requiring invasive procedures. These new scanners will support a wide range of essential medical applications within the hospital, including detailed imaging for thyroid, breast, abdominal, pelvic, and soft tissue cancers, monitoring patient progress during treatment, and identifying possible complications through specialised scans such as Doppler imaging.

Impact: The introduction of modern ultrasound technology will significantly improve diagnostic precision, reduce patient waiting times, and strengthen the hospital’s ability to manage the high number of patients requiring imaging every day. Ultimately, this initiative will help doctors make faster, more accurate clinical decisions while improving the quality of care provided to cancer patients across Sri Lanka.