Asiri Central Hospital Marks 100 Successful Pediatric Heart Surgeries Under Suraksha Insurance Scheme

Asiri Central Hospital has achieved a significant milestone in pediatric cardiac care with the successful completion of its 100th Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) heart surgery under the Government of Sri Lanka’s Suraksha Insurance Scheme, giving 100 schoolchildren born with congenital heart defects the opportunity to lead healthier lives. All procedures were carried out under the Suraksha Insurance Scheme, a free national insurance programme for school students, implemented by the Ministry of Education, in partnership with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd. This milestone highlights the impact of effective public-private collaboration in making advanced, life-saving healthcare accessible to children across the country, regardless of their financial circumstances.

Through this successful public-private partnership, the Suraksha Insurance Scheme has helped children awaiting specialised cardiac surgeries access essential care sooner and without financial barriers, enabling them to receive timely treatment and achieve a better quality of life. The Scheme has enabled eligible children from across the country to access highly specialised cardiac care, undergo necessary procedures and return to their education and daily activities with improved health and confidence.

An Atrial Septal Defect (ASD), commonly referred to as a ‘hole in the heart’, is one of the most common congenital heart conditions affecting children. If untreated, it can lead to long-term complications affecting a child’s growth, physical development and overall quality of life. For many families, a diagnosis of congenital heart disease can bring concerns beyond the child’s health, particularly due to the costs associated with specialised treatment.

The achievement reflects Asiri Central Hospital’s longstanding commitment to delivering advanced tertiary healthcare services. Supported by experienced paediatric cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anaesthetists, perfusionists and specialised paediatric intensive care nurses, the Hospital provides comprehensive pediatric cardiac services backed by state-of-the-art cardiac catheterisation laboratories, dedicated cardiac intensive care units and advanced surgical facilities.

Each successful procedure represents the coordinated efforts across the entire patient journey, from diagnosis and pre-operative assessments to surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation and follow-up care. This integrated approach has enabled Asiri Central Hospital to establish a strong track record in managing complex congenital heart conditions while consistently delivering positive clinical outcomes.

This wouldn’t have been possible without the team behind it – Dr. M. S. Mugunthan, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon attached to Lady Ridgeway Hospital (LRH) for Children, Colombo, and Asiri Central Hospital; Consultant Anaesthetists Dr. Asitha Dissanayake and Dr. Geetha Jayathilake; together with the dedicated surgical and nursing teams at Asiri Central Hospital.

Asiri Central Hospital remains committed to expanding specialised clinical services, investing in advanced medical technologies and working alongside national partners to deliver timely, accessible and compassionate care that improves health outcomes for patients across the country.