Nawaloka Hospitals, one of the country’s biggest private healthcare providers, has opened a new state-of-the-art health screening facility promising users "an excellent ambience and peaceful surroundings."

The company said in a news release that the new facility christened `Serene’ "eliminates crowds and congestion and facilitates patients to get professional attention without a hassle."

Serene is headed by Dr. Shan Perera who is credited with pioneering innovative health screening procedure in Sri Lanka and will be open Monday to Saturday from 8 am to 5 pm for bookings.

"Good health is a process which enhances your physical well being, enabling you to engage in social, mental and spiritual aspects of life, it is a necessity" said Dr Perera.

"Most of us have hidden health problems which later manifest themselves as full blown diseases and most often it is too late for a remedy. You must accept the fact that prevention is better than cure and discipline yourself into having an annual health check". Dr Shan said that an annual health check was imperative and a necessity, "Give priority to safeguarding your health—-always be one step ahead.’’

Nawaloka’s health screening centre offers a number of health screening packages with each package being customized to suit age related problems. "All packages include examination and advice by a consultant physician, while there are special packages which include consultation with a specialist in the related field," the release said.

Perera emphasized that each patient would receive a personalized service by a highly trained and professional medical and para medical team, with all reports being handed back in 2 - 3 days after the examination.

The duration of the screening package ranges from 2 – 6 hours depending on the package selected.

The release said the atmosphere at `Serene’ is bright and cheerful, with the accent being on the patient’s comfort and wellbeing. A complimentary snack too is served .

The new Nawaloka complex was built at a cost of Rs.1.5 billion adding 80,000 sq. ft. to the hospital’s total floor area and expanding it to 300,000 sq. ft. making it "the single largest private hospital complex" in the country according to the release.

The new complex comprises eight floors, each with a floor area of 10,000 sq. ft., with one floor dedicated to channeling for consultants.