The official opening of the state-of-the-art, multi-specialty, 100-bed Hemas Hospital in Wattala took place yesterday under the patronage of . Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition and incumbent Chairman of the Executive Board of the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"We are proud to launch this truly technologically advanced family hospital, built in collaboration with the Columbia Asia Hospital Chain, the renowned hospital operator in Asia. With our reputed Sri Lankan medical practitioners and trained nursing staff, we are fully geared to operate full services providing patient-centric, affordable, high quality health services to the people of the Gampaha district", said Chairman Hemas Hospitals Murtaza Esufally.

Among the wide ranging services are modern operating theatres with guided air flow systems (the first-ever such installation in Sri Lanka), 10 bed ICU with cutting edge technology to manage critically ill patients, private labour suites and modern NICU (Premature Baby Unit) channelled consultations and health checks; cardiology services including Exercise ECG and ECHO Cardiography; advanced eye surgery unit and dental unit; MRI scanning (the first ever open magnet MRI installation in Sri Lanka); CT and ultra sound scanning; X-rays, diagnostic endoscopy and laparoscopic surgery; 24-hour emergency treatment unit, automated Laboratory, Pharmacy and 24 hour OPD.

Conforming to the latest international procedures and standards, Hemas Hospital has adhered to WHO standards in its building designs and practices as well as stringent infection control procedures. It has adopted accepted quality assurance systems to ensure high quality in its laboratories together with an internationally used advanced IT system modified to suit Sri Lankan needs. The hospital also follows British standards of dietetics adhered with food, and standard policies and protocols for patient care. Provision of quality and affordable drugs to patients will be ensured by the Drugs and Therapeutic Committee comprised of independent medical specialists.

The Hemas Wattala Hospital is a Family Hospital which caters to the medical needs of the entire family, ranging from Paediatrics to Geriatrics, and a children’s play area to high-tech Intensive Care Unit, all under one roof. The Hospital’s people-friendly and homely environment is enhanced by its air conditioned, spacious, brightly coloured and comfortable waiting areas, as well as rooms, with cable television from cartoons to news. Its friendly staff have been fully trained and equipped to make every patient’s stay as comfortable as possible.

The Rs. 1500 million Mn Hospital had its soft opening with limited operations in August this year and has already handled over 10,000 In-House and OPD patients to date.

The launch of Hemas Hospitals marks its entry into the Healthcare service industry where it is committed to bring new standards of medical care to its patients. The Hospital project was completed in 18 months as planned. Construction was handled by the ICC while the Project Architect and Manager was Rukshan Widyalankara Associates.

The Hemas Group is the major investor and will be the managers of the hospital. It has as strategic investors Columbia Asia (an international chain of hospitals operating in Malaysia, India, Indonesia, and several other Asian countries), Brandix, MJF Holdings and other high net worth international investors.

On the Board of Directors of Hemas Hospitals are : Husein Esufally (Non-Executive Director Hemas Hospitals & CEO Hemas Group), Murtaza Esufally (Chairman Hemas Hospitals and Director Hemas Holdings Plc), Richard F. Evans (Non-Executive Director and Chairman, Columbia Asia Group of Companies), Prem Abraham (Group Finance Director, Columbia Asia Group of Companies), Dr. Aruna Rabel (Director Medical Services), Linus Jeganathan (Director Finance) and Ananda Wimalasena (Non-Executive Director)

Hemas Group is one of the top conglomerates in Sri Lanka with a focus on five key sectors - FMCG, Healthcare, Transportation, Leisure and Strategic Investments.