ATG Group of Companies came forward to donate a state-of-the-art 'Green Laser machine' to Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital in Seeduwa as part of the 'ATG Suraksha' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, recently. Valued at 12.8 Million Rupees, the machine will help the hospital provide preventive laser treatment for patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy, a condition that could lead to permanent blindness in the eyes, if not treated promptly.

Being one of the only two government hospitals in Sri Lanka that offers ‘Vitrectomy’; an eye surgery to reverse and prevent the effects of diabetic retinopathy, the Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital’s previous Green Laser machine went out of order, recently, leaving dozens of immediate surgeries on halt. The hospital struggled with securing the necessary financial capital to replace this machine due to the ongoing economic crisis in the country.

As a result, these patients had to then opt for a three-year-long waiting list at the National Eye Hospital in Colombo, which ultimately sealed dire complications for their condition. It is in this backdrop that Mr. Neil Umagiliya - Acting Chairman of the Seeduwa Hospital, reached out to the ATG Group. In response to this request, the Group made prompt measures to address this alarming need within the national health sector, immediately.

Dr. Chamara Kumarage, Consultant Eye and Vitreoretinal Surgeon of Vijaya Kumaratunga Memorial Hospital said, "The incidence of diabetes is increasing among young people, especially in the age group of 25-35. One of the complications that can arise after approximately ten years of having diabetes is diabetic retinopathy. While cataracts can be treated with surgery to restore vision, diabetic retinopathy will cause irreversible damage to the eyes, if we don’t act quickly. This is why this machine plays a crucial role in preventing such complications.”

Apart from ensuring over 80 vitrectomies with only a two-month waiting list, the hospital also conducts 700-800 cataract surgeries, every month.

Addressing the handing-over ceremony, Mr. Fazal Abdeen - Managing Director of the ATG Group of Companies stated, “It gives me great pleasure to see our CSR banner here. ATG Suraksha (our community support programme) continues with its true vision of serving humanity. Whenever we establish ourselves at one of the BOI zones in Sri Lanka, we reach out to the neighbouring community to carry out our projects. Community hospitals play a major part in our mission. We have ongoing projects to help hospitals in Wathupitiwala, Koggala, Katunayake and now here in Seeduwa.  Giving back to society is essential as we achieve success, and as it helps sustain the ecosystem we live in.”