Ceylinco Healthcare invests Rs 15 million to upgrade Brachytherapy system
The Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre, the only private hospital in the country to offer Brachytherapy (internal radiation) for the treatment of cancer, has announced upgrades to its treatment planning and delivery systems to further improve accuracy and efficiency.
An investment of Rs 15 million, the upgrade offers Consultant Oncologists and Medical Physicists involved in treatment planning enhanced capabilities to plan and deliver the required precision treatments, the Centre said.
Brachytherapy is a treatment that involves placing radioactive material in the body of the cancer patient. It is used for treating cervical and endometrial cancer as well as oesophageal, head and neck, vaginal, rectal and lung cancers.
Elaborating on the upgrade, the Centre said the installation of new Treatment Planning System (TPS) hardware using the latest Oncentra Brachy 4.6 version upgrade and a Treatment Delivery System upgrade with the newest Treatment Console System (TCS) hardware running on the MHDR V3 TCS 3.1.6 upgrade, was undertaken by DIMO, the local agent for Elekta Medical Systems of the Netherlands.
Components such as the GYN Transfer Tube sets, X-Ray Catheter sets, and the Fletcher-Williamson applicator sets were also replaced with the upgrade, the Centre said.
With the upgrade, cancer patients can experience more precise treatments offered by the new software which has 3D contouring and margin tools for anatomy definitions and image registration, fast catheter reconstruction algorithms for implant reconstructions, dose point optimisation and geometric optimisation. Plan analysis tools such as synchronized plan evaluation for comparison are also an advantage.
Owned and managed by Ceylinco Healthcare Services Ltd. (CHSL), the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre has a Selectron HDR Brachytherapy System which was installed in 2007 and has successfully provided brachytherapy treatment over the past 13 years. The Centre also offers radiation treatment via linear accelerator, radioactive iodine treatment and chemotherapy, while the Ceylinco Tomotherapy Centre also owned by CHSL is the only facility offering tomotherapy in Sri Lanka.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka’s leading life insurance company Ceylinco Life, Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited operates the most experienced and affordable private cancer treatment centres in the country. These centres have successfully administered radiation therapy to over 7,000 patients in Sri Lanka over the past decade.
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Read moreCeylinco Healthcare partners with Kings Hospital Colombo
Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited and Kings Hospital Colombo have announced a collaboration to provide comprehensive medical care at concessionary rates to benefit patients of both institutions.
With the new partnership, Ceylinco Healthcare will provide state-of-the-art cancer-related treatments to patients of Kings Hospital and the latter will provide comprehensive medical care including top end diagnostics, surgery and rehabilitation programs to patients through multi-disciplinary teams of highly trained and competent specialists and doctors in Sri Lanka.
“We believe that patient outcomes must take precedence over everything else, and to that end seek to collaborate with like-minded institutions,” Ceylinco Healthcare Services Chairman Mr R. Renganathan said. “We have also recently entered into a partnership with the Apollo Proton Care Centre in Chennai to facilitate treatment for our patients at the only proton beam therapy centre in South Asia. It is expected that the Ceylinco Healthcare - Kings Hospital collaboration will enhance the quality of treatment and patient comfort especially when dealing with issues such as cancer.
Kings Hospital Colombo has allocated a special counter and a help desk at its consultation lounge that will enable the two institutions to coordinate with patients and oncologists in order to ensure seamless medical care to patients.
Kings Hospital Colombo is an ultra-modern, multi-specialty corporate hospital with 120 beds. With a patient-centric contemporary design, it is committed to providing compassionate and high-quality medical care of international standards with a focus on providing the best clinical outcomes at optimum cost. King’s Hospital Colombo is the newest addition to private health care in Colombo and is equipped with the most modern diagnostics such as digital mammography, MRI, CT and laboratory services.
All operating theaters are modular type conforming to highest standards in the health care sector. Kings Hospital provides a comprehensive range of services including Gastroenterology, Urology, Orthopedics, Chest Medicine and Thoracic Surgery, Plastic Surgery, Ophthalmology, Dental Surgery, Transplant Surgery and Dialysis, Gynecology and Obstetrics, Pediatric Surgery and Cardiology. All ancillary services such as ICU, dialysis service, physiotherapy, rehabilitation facilities are set to the highest standards to ensure the best possible care to patients.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka’s leading life insurance company Ceylinco Life, Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited operates two radiation treatment units – the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre which offers treatment via Linear Accelerator and the Ceylinco TomoTherapy Centre, which is the only TomoTherapy unit in the country. These are the most experienced and affordable private cancer treatment centres in the country. Ceylinco Healthcare Services has successfully administered radiation therapy to over 7,000 patients in Sri Lanka over the past decade. Customised care packages will be available through this initiative as a value addition to patients.
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Ceylinco Healthcare opens first dedicated Elderly Care Centre in Sri Lanka’s private sector
‘Ceylinco Assured Care Centre’ to offer comprehensive, multidisciplinary resident & OPD care with specialists in Geriatric Medicine
The first multidisciplinary medical care centre for the elderly in Sri Lanka’s private sector was formally declared open by Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) in February with the involvement of some of the country’s leading specialists in Geriatric Medicine.
Located on the first floor of the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre at No 60, Park Street, Colombo 2, the unit comprises of four rooms for residential care, as well as facilities for outpatient services and channelling of specialist doctors, physiotherapists, speech therapists and diet therapists, bringing under one roof the inter-linked, inter-disciplinary services needed for holistic care of elders.
Recognising the need for a shift from the disease-centric approach to the person-centric approach of treatment that is central to Geriatric Medicine, the Ceylinco Assured Care Centre will cater to persons who are relatively healthy after the age of 60 and will benefit from assistance for active healthy ageing, as well as for elderly patients who are weak and in need of specific medical interventions and support.
Speaking at the opening of the centre, CHSL Chairman Mr R. Renganathan pointed out that Sri Lanka has the dubious distinction of having the fastest ageing population in the world, and that elderly people, defined as persons over 60 years, will represent 50 per cent of the country’s population by 2050. These projections had led Ceylinco Life, which owns Ceylinco Healthcare Services, to invest in ‘La Serena’ – Sri Lanka’s first dedicated retirement resort – and the Ceylinco Assured Care Centre, he said.
Consultant Physician Dr Dilhar Samaraweera, founder President of the Sri Lanka Association of Geriatric Medicine, who addressed invitees at the opening of the new centre, said the Ceylinco Assured Care Centre was the result of detailed discussions between himself and other leading doctors and Ceylinco Healthcare Services. “The Board of Directors of CHSL showed great commitment to set up a centre of excellence of quality, and I have great pleasure and pride to be associated with the first multidisciplinary elderly care centre in the private sector,’ he said.
“No other centre offers services that encompass the physical, sensory, cognitive, environmental and social areas,” Dr Samaraweera said, disclosing that the centre would address the syndromes associated with ageing such as decreased mobility, instability, falls, frailty, incontinence, dementia and depression, and would also offer pre-retirement counselling to provide those approaching 60 guidance to age gracefully.
A membership programme offered by the Ceylinco Assured Care Centre provides the assurance that “we will all be with you throughout the course of your life,” Dr Samaraweera added.
Consultant Rheumatologist Dr Lalith Wijeratne, founder of the Sri Lanka Association of Geriatric Medicine, who spoke on the origins and evolution of Geriatric Medicine as a distinct specialty in Sri Lanka following the establishment of a Board of Study in Elderly Care, said Sri Lanka now has 70 postgraduate doctors who are diploma holders in Geriatric Medicine, and that the first batch of fully-qualified Geriatrics specialists would pass out in 2024.
A wholly-owned subsidiary of Sri Lanka’s leading life insurance company Ceylinco Life, Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited operates two radiation treatment units – the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre which offers treatment via Linear Accelerator and the Ceylinco TomoTherapy Centre, which is the only TomoTherapy unit in the country. These are the most experienced and affordable private cancer treatment centres in the country. Ceylinco Healthcare Services has successfully administered radiation therapy to over 7,000 patients in Sri Lanka over the past decade.
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Read moreCeylinco Healthcare & Apollo introduce Proton therapy & Digital PET scans to Sri Lanka
Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) together with Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, recently conducted an event at which Sri Lankan Oncologists and Cancer Specialists were introduced to the benefits of Proton Therapy Treatment and the advantages of Digital Positron Emission Tomography (Digital PET) scans.
This event follows CHSL’s appointment as a Medical Affiliate of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL) of India, which operates the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) in Chennai. The appointment made Proton Therapy as well as Digital PET scans more accessible and affordable to cancer patients in Sri Lanka.
Since October last year, specialists at CHSL have been able to refer patients requiring this treatment or Digital PET scans to the Cancer Centre in Chennai which is the first medical facility in South Asia to have these cutting-edge options for treatment and diagnosis.
The event at the Hilton, Colombo, was conducted by Dr Sapna Nangia, Senior Consultant Radiation Oncologist at the APCC, and Mr John Chandy, Chief Operating Officer of APCC. While the former expounded on the functions and benefits of Proton Therapy, the latter spoke about the advantages of the Digital PET-CT scan compared to other CT scans available in Sri Lanka.
About 30 Sri Lankan specialists in the field attended the event, which was followed by cocktails and dinner.
Proton Therapy is considered the most advanced form of radiation treatment available in the world, thanks to its superior dose distribution and minimal side effects. It is increasingly being used to treat cancers, particularly those where treatment options are limited, or conventional radiation therapy presents risks to patients, as well as for many childhood cancers as it lessens the chance of harming healthy tissues.
Digital PET-CT scans at the APCC in Chennai are available to Sri Lankan patients at a lower cost than the standard analog PET scans available in Sri Lanka, even with air travel costs included. PET-CT is recommended to ascertain information regarding the stage of a cancer, so that appropriate management such as surgery or chemotherapy and radiation therapy can be advised. Owing to the digital aspect of these scans, patients are guaranteed higher sensitivity, better image quality and therefore increased accuracy in diagnosis.
The owner of the most experienced and affordable private cancer treatment centres in the country, Ceylinco Healthcare Services has successfully administered radiation therapy to over 7,000 patients in Sri Lanka over the past decade. The treatment facilities offered by the Company are estimated to generate a saving of US$ 500,000 in foreign exchange per year. The Company operates two radiation treatment units - the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre and the Ceylinco TomoTherapy Centre, which is the only TomoTherapy unit in the country.
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Ceylinco Healthcare launches 3D Posture Scans with AI to identify posture-related problems
First in Sri Lanka to offer advanced scanning software from Sweden
Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) has announced the introduction of a digital posture, balance and movement screening service to help identify and remedy common, but poorly managed, movement-related disorders, which affect one in every three people because of musculoskeletal, neurological or age-related problems.
The software developed by Swedish technology company Qinematic, uses accurate and fast 3D marker-less motion capture for human movement analysis. CHSL is first in Sri Lanka to offer the scans in order to provide an objective assessment of posture, movement patterns and balance of patients, and assist physiotherapists in making better decisions and optimal interventions for preventing and improving problems connected to poor static and dynamic posture.
Normally reserved for research and elite sports people, motion capture was once very expensive. With the more affordable Qinematic Posture Scan, CHSL has a unique opportunity to offer clients a scan and a report at an introductory price of Rs 5000 per person at the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre at Park Street, Colombo 2.
Qinematic Posture Scan works by recording human movement using a 3D camera and advanced computer software. The process is very simple. A client follows some simple onscreen instructions such as standing posture and balance, side bending, and small squats. The software can detect any difficulties and adjust to ‘Easy Mode’ to accommodate people with more serious issues. Advanced biomechanical models in the software are used to give immediate animated feedback and accurate measurements in a report.
To support the introduction of the Qinematic Posture Scan, CHSL recently conducted a workshop for 35 healthcare practitioners including Physiotherapists, Rheumatologists and gym instructors. The workshop was conducted by the CEO of Qinematic Mr Glenn Bilby, a Human Movement Scientist and Physiotherapist with expertise in the field for over 30 years. He instructed health workers from the CHSL network on how to interpret reports and operate the system, and elaborated on how biomechanics can be used for evidence-based health services, better decision making and measuring outcomes.
Commenting on the launch of the Qinematic Posture Scan, CHSL Director Mr Thushara Ranasinghe said: “This automated scan is quick, fun and motivating. Movement-related disorders can prevent many people from engaging in physical activities, and that can in turn contribute to metabolic and cardiovascular illness. The Qinematic Posture Scan can help many people overcome movement difficulties, exercise more and enjoy better health and an improved quality of life.”
The movements performed during the Posture Scan are carefully selected to capture the foundational building blocks of everyday activities at home, at work and in sports. The scan protocol is standardised to make the results comparable and the analysis reliable. Movements are ‘practiced’ along with the instructional video, after which the 3D recording takes place. The Posture Scan also collects some important metadata that can be linked to factors such as gender, age, discomfort, history of falling and handedness.
This scan is useful for assisting in diagnosis of movement, balance and posture-related conditions that include not only an aching back, neck, shoulders and feet; Harvard Health recently published an article that claimed that in some cases, incontinence, constipation, heartburn and slow digestion too can be associated with poor posture. Bad posture can also be associated with poor circulation, impaired lung function, constricted nerves, and issues of the spine.
Poor movement patterns are easily improved if the underlying problems are identified early, and usually respond well to corrective or preventative exercises. After a Qinematic Posture Scan at the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre, the outcome of the scan will be reported by a physiotherapist along with a recommended course of action.
Gym instructors, athletic and fitness coaches, physiotherapists, and rheumatologists who suspect dysfunction, pain or inactivity may be related to poor movement, balance and posture, can now direct clients to the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre for an objective Qinematic Posture Scan to assist with evidence based decisions and recommendations. The centre can also offer a physiotherapy consultation.
Qinematic makes software for 3D analysis of static and dynamic posture. The software turns affordable and off-the-shelf technology into an advanced movement lab, so that everyone can afford accurate and objective assessment of movement.
Ceylinco Healthcare Services owns and operates the Ceylinco Healthcare Centre and the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre at Park Street, Colombo 2, offering comprehensive screening, diagnostic services and medical care. It also has two radiation treatment units - the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre and the Ceylinco TomoTherapy Centre, that have successfully administered radiation therapy to over 5,000 patients.
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Photo caption
Pictured here is Qinematic Chief Executive Officer Mr Glenn Bilby conducting the workshop.
Read more- Ceylinco Healthcare to offer Proton Therapy in milestone collaboration with Apollo Proton Cancer Centre
- Ceylinco Healthcare Centre’s Chief Medical Physicist receives training in Italy
- Ceylinco Healthcare Centre’s Chief Radiation Therapist undergoes training in Switzerland
- Ceylinco Healthcare Centre’s Medical Physicist receives training in Switzerland