President opens Sahana Treatment and Welfare Unit for kidney patients

COLOMBO (News 1st): The Sahana Treatment and Welfare Unit was vested with the public today at an event graced by President Maithripala Sirisena. The centre is built by the Presidential Task Force on Prevention of Chronic Kidney Disease. The project was implemented in conjunction with the Kandy Teaching hospital at a cost of Rs. 628 million. The modern facilities can treat up to 150 patients daily. It also has facilities to carry out blood transfusions, surgeries and the necessary tests. The facility is equipped to identify kidney disease at an early stage. Water filters, blood pressure monitors and gluco-monitors were distributed to families of patients during the event. The President explained the 'National Kidney Fund' and its origins. Plans for this Centre started on January 9th, 2015 when there were many donations for his Presidential campaign. "Cash flowed in for my campaign so that I could put up posters, banners, and cut-outs. Then I made a decision that I will not use posters, cutouts, and banners for my campaigns and requested that the money be transferred to a bank account to begin a Kidney fund. I personally started this fund. It started with Rs 50 or 60 million in it. The state declared it a national fund in the budget of 2015. So all the money that was spent on this project is from the Kidney fund and none of it was state funds" said President Maithripala Sirisena. The President also carried out an inspection tour of the Gajaba regiment in Saliyapura, Anuradhapura and looked into the wellbeing of injured servicemen. A sapling was planted to mark the President's arrival at the camp.