Radiation treatment for cancer patients at the Galle National Hospital has come to a standstill after both radiation therapy machines at the facility broke down.
The hospital’s oncology unit relies on a linear accelerator and a cobalt radiation machine to deliver daily treatments lasting between five and 35 days, depending on each patient’s condition. However, the linear accelerator has been out of service since Monday (12), while the cobalt machine malfunctioned on Wednesday (14), disrupting care for more than 120 patients each day.
Sources said radiation technologists had informed the relevant service provider and the Ministry of Health about the breakdowns, but repairs have yet to be carried out.
Delays in restoring the linear accelerator are reportedly due to the failure to renew its service agreement on time, further prolonging the interruption to essential cancer treatment services.
