The Sri Lankan Medical Association of North America (SLMANA) has donated two Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) machines to Sri Lanka, marking a major step forward in expanding mental health treatment in the country. One machine will be installed at the National Hospital in Colombo and the other at Jaffna Hospital, improving access to advanced psychiatric care.

TMS is a non-invasive treatment approved in the United States for depression and other neuropsychiatric conditions. It uses magnetic pulses to stimulate targeted areas of the brain and has proven effective for patients who do not respond to conventional medication.

SLMANA President Dr. Tarique Perera said access to advanced mental health treatment remains limited in Sri Lanka and noted that the machines will provide evidence-based treatment options for patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Dr. Shehan Williams will lead the treatment programme at the National Hospital in Colombo, while the installation in Jaffna is expected to enhance specialised mental health services in the Northern Province, where resources have been limited.

SLMANA, which is marking its 30th anniversary this year, continues to support Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector through charitable initiatives. The TMS machines are expected to become operational in the coming months, alongside training programmes for local psychiatrists and mental health professionals.