Ceylinco Healthcare to offer Proton Therapy in milestone collaboration with Apollo Proton Cancer Centre
Appointed Medical Affiliate of South East Asia's first and only Proton Cancer Centre
Proton Therapy, the most advanced form of radiation treatment available in the world, has become more accessible and affordable for cancer patients in Sri Lanka following the appointment of Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) as a Medical Affiliate of Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited (AHEL) of India, which operates the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai, the first and only Proton Therapy facility in the South East Asian region.
Announcing the milestone and the enrolment of CHSL in the Apollo Proton Partners Network Initiative, the Company said patients undergoing treatment at CHSL's two radiation treatment centres in Colombo can now be referred to the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai if proton therapy is recommended, and undergo treatment at a preferred partner programme specified under the agreement between the two institutions.
Over the last decade, Proton Therapy has gained tremendous momentum globally due 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, due to these unique advantages.
As it lessens the chance of harming healthy, growing tissue, children may receive Proton Therapy for cancers of the brain and spinal cord. The current technology and expertise available worldwide and at Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, is now helping to expand the scope of indications from traditionally well-recognised cancers such as cancers of childhood and skull-base tumours and re-treatments, to increasingly accepted areas such as cancers of the head and neck, liver/GI, sarcomas, left-sided breast and prostate, with the aim of significantly improving survival rates and equally if not more importantly, the quality of life and long-term survivorship.
The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai is the most advanced cancer care centre with pencil beam technology and the ability to deliver intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) image-guided and patient positioning systems, and is aided by the most sophisticated proton treatment planning systems. The centre also has excellent clinical, physics and therapy teams to plan and deliver the treatments appropriately.
"We already offer advanced radiation oncology in Sri Lanka via TomoTherapy and Linear Accelerator ensuring patients have the latest and most comprehensive treatment at the most affordable price," CHSL Chairman Mr R. Renganathan said. “We are not providing proton therapy currently or in the near future, and therefore decided to partner with APCC and provide access to patients who will need this form of treatment.”
"We are pleased to have entered into a clinical partnership with Ceylinco Healthcare as part of the access to proton therapy programme at Apollo Proto Cancer Centre. Patients that would benefit from Proton therapy will now be able to access the most advanced care cancer centre and thus strengthen their battle against cancer and improve their quality of life," Mr Dinesh Madhavan, President, Group Oncology and International at AHEL said.
A 'Proton Collaboration Agreement' entered into by Ceylinco Healthcare Services and Apollo Hospitals Enterprise in October 2019 paves the way for the two institutions to collaborate seamlessly in evaluating patient requirements, referrals to the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre for treatment and post treatment care.
The Apollo Proton Partners Network Initiative of which CHSL is now a member also has provision for Apollo specialists to work with physicians, consult and share resources to complement physician expertise at partner companies. Such companies can connect with Apollo through tele-consultation and interact with a patient-centric Cancer Management Team with organ-specific tumour boards and the Apollo Proton Advisory Board. Patients requiring Proton Therapy have access to comprehensive 360° cancer care management, Genomics Molecular Profiling, Digital Pathology, access to a vast pool of medical resources and centralised planning for radiation treatment, while medical staff of partner companies can engage in academic collaborations for multi-centric clinical research programmes.
The Apollo Proton Cancer Centre (APCC) in Chennai is a 150-bed integrated cancer hospital that offers state-of-the-art comprehensive cancer care. South East Asia's first Proton Therapy Centre, the APCC is powered by a cutting-edge multi-room Proton Centre, and is revolutionising radiation oncology not just in India, but across the region. Multi-room Proton Centres are at the very pinnacle of radiation oncology. Powerful cyclotrons, fully revolving gantries and state-of-the-art delivery modes ensure unprecedented precision and success rates that are redefining global benchmarks.
With over 26 years of experience in delivering world class cancer care and now with Proton Therapy, the hospital stands as a beacon of new hope for over 3.5 billion people in developing nations.
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 5,000 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.
(Ends)
Photo caption:
Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) Chairman Mr R. Renganathan (2nd from left) and Apollo Hospitals Chairman Dr. Prathap Reddy (centre) exchange the agreement in the presence of (from left) Prof. Rohan Jayasekera, Medical Director CHSL, CHSL Director Mr Thushara Ranasinghe and General Manager Mr Tharuka De Silva.
Read moreCeylinco Healthcare Centre’s Chief Medical Physicist receives training in Italy
The Chief Medical Physicist of Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) recently completed overseas training in Milan, Italy, on the latest techniques in radiation therapy planning, becoming the third staffer of the Company’s Radiation Treatment Centre to undergo overseas training over the course of two months.
The training programme attended by Mr Samantha Gunawardena was hosted by Varian Medical Systems International AG, a global leader in Radiation Oncology, and was connected with CHSL’s recent acquisition of a new hi-precision Clinac® iX linear accelerator from the company.
The five-day programme titled ‘Varian Applied Physics: Advanced RapidArc Planning Course’ aimed to provide medical physicists with the training to approach and plan radiation treatment for complex cases with RapidArc technologies. It covered practical aspects and included extensive planning sessions with in-class training as well as practical sessions at the Humanitas Hospital in Milan, Italy.
Mr Samantha Gunawardena has been a Medical Physicist for 25 years contributing to both the public and private sector of Sri Lanka. He holds a B.Sc. in Physics from the University of Kelaniya and an MSc in Medical Physics from the Post Graduate Institute of Science of the University of Peradeniya.
The provider of the most experienced and affordable private cancer treatment in Sri Lanka’s private sector, CHSL operates two state-of-the-art radiation treatment centres, the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre and the Ceylinco TomoTherapy Centre which have successfully administered radiation therapy to over 5,000 patients over the past decade. The two centres are estimated to generate a saving of US$ 500,000 in foreign exchange per year by providing treatment facilities that match those offered by regional and international centres. Ceylinco Healthcare Services also owns and operates the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre, offering comprehensive screening, diagnostic services and medical care.
Read moreCeylinco Healthcare Centre’s Chief Radiation Therapist undergoes training in Switzerland
Mr Thilak De Silva, the Chief Radiation Therapist at Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) recently visited Switzerland for a training programme hosted by Varian Medical Systems International AG, a global leader in Radiation Oncology.
He is the second member of the staff of CHSL’s Radiation Treatment Centre to undergo training in Switzerland in the past two months, the Company said.
The five-day training course is linked to the acquisition of a new hi-precision Clinac iX linear accelerator for CHSL’s Radiation Treatment Centre from Varian Medical Systems.
The course titled ‘Oncology Information System Clinical Implementation’ covered a variety of topics ranging from an in-depth introduction to the system architecture to using the equipment in coordination with ARIA, a comprehensive information and image management solutions operating system that allows users to oversee all aspects of Oncology.
This programme was conducted with the aim of introducing the new Oncology Information System and to provide training on how to setup the system prior to on-site training.
Mr Thilak De Silva has been practicing in the field of Radiation Therapy for 28 years in both the private and public sector of Sri Lanka. He holds a Diploma in Radiography from the School of Radiography in Colombo, and specialised in Radiation Therapy, locally. He possesses extensive international experience too, having worked at the International Atomic Energy Authority (IAEA) in India, USA and Singapore.
With more than 7,400 linear accelerators installed around the world, of which nearly 200 are operating in India, Varian Medical Systems has extensive global and regional experience in radiation oncology. The Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator houses a range of capabilities that not only streamline the treatment process, but also expand possibilities for clinics.
The most experienced and affordable private cancer treatment centre in the country, CHSL has successfully administered radiation therapy to over 5,000 patients 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 from its two radiation treatment centres — the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre and the Ceylinco TomoTherapy Centre. Ceylinco Healthcare Services also owns and operates the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre, offering comprehensive screening, diagnostic services and medical care.
Read more
Ceylinco Healthcare Centre’s Medical Physicist receives training in Switzerland
Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) recently sent Mr Jayantha Gunaratne, a medical physicist at its Radiation Treatment Centre, for a training programme in Switzerland, arranged by Varian Medical Systems International AG, a global leader in Radiation Oncology.
Mr Gunaratne’s training follows the commissioning in December last year of a new hi-precision Clinac® iX linear accelerator to treat cancer patients at CHSL’s the Radiation Treatment Centre. The new linear accelerator was supplied by Varian Medical Systems.
Titled ‘Varian Advanced Techniques Physics IMRT /RapidArc,’ the training programme was conducted over four days and included classroom lectures and on-site training at the Municipal Hospital Triemli, Switzerland. The course was designed to provide training for medical physicists responsible for the initial system commissioning and configuration of Varian’s Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) techniques.
The aim of this course was to provide a comprehensive understanding of the treatment technique process, quality assurance tasks and treatment planning strategies, so that attendees will be able to implement IMRT/RapidArc® and Portal Dosimetry in their clinical routines, the Company said.
“We have invested in state-of-the-art equipment for radiation therapy to enable Sri Lankans to receive the most advanced treatments available, in their own country,” CHSL Chairman Mr R. Renganathan said. “As the private sector’s Centre of Excellence in radiation treatment we also require our physicists and radiation therapists to undergo world class training that can enable them to maximise the benefits of the equipment.”
Mr Jayantha Gunaratne has been a medical physicist at CHSL for the past 11 years. He previously worked as a Scientific Officer at the Atomic Energy Authority of Sri Lanka, for a decade. Mr Gunaratne holds a B.Sc. (Special) Degree in Physics (2nd Class, Upper division) from the University of Peradeniya, and a M.Sc. in Medical Physics from the Post Graduate Institute of Science, University of Peradeniya. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Radiation Protection from the National University of Malaysia.
With more than 7,400 linear accelerators installed around the world, of which nearly 200 are operating in India, Varian Medical Systems has extensive global and regional experience in radiation oncology. The Varian Clinac iX linear accelerator houses a range of capabilities that not only streamline the treatment process, but also expand possibilities for clinics.
The most experienced and affordable private cancer treatment centre in the country, CHSL has successfully administered radiation therapy to over 5,000 patients 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. Besides its two radiation treatment units — the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre and the Ceylinco Tomo Therapy Centre, Ceylinco Healthcare Services owns and operates the Ceylinco Diabetes Centre, offering comprehensive screening, diagnostic services and medical care.
Read moreCeylinco Healthcare offers discounts on cancer treatment to 2.7 million people
Offers up to 25% off for NITF's 'Agrahara' policyholders and their dependents
Ceylinco Healthcare Services Limited (CHSL) has announced that public servants holding 'Agrahara' insurance policies of the National Insurance Trust Fund (NITF) and their dependents are eligible for discounts of up to 25% on cancer treatments offered by the Company.
Following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between CHSL and NITF, 'Agrahara' policyholders and family members will be offered a 25 per cent discount on room charges, a 20 per cent discount on hospital charges for OPD chemotherapy, and 5 per cent discounts on all radiation 
treatments, lab tests and radiological investigations.
These discounts are exclusively applicable to NIT F 'Agrahara' policyholders who opt to go for radiation treatment from CHSL's Linear Accelerator or Tomotherapy unit, as well as for chemotherapy, radioactive iodine treatment and brachytherapy, the Company said.
The 'Agrahara' Insurance scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Public Administration, under the National Insurance Trust Fund. The scheme covers close to 900,000 government employees, semigovernment employees and pensioners who retired after 2016. Taking the family members and dependants of its policyholders into account, it benefits more than 2.7 million people in all. The Gold and Silver packages of 'Agrahara' cover cancer treatment costs of up to Rs 600,000/- and Rs 400,000/respectively.
CHSL offers five types of cancer treatment at its facilities in Colombo. One advanced form of radiation therapy is delivered through the Company's newly-acquired linear accelerator, which is equipped for highly precise Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT). Another form of treatment is TomoTherapy which combines IMRT with the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scanning technology, all in one machine. CHSL is the only company that offers TomoTherapy in Sri Lanka. Other treatments are Brachytherapy, which involves placing a protected source of high energy radiation directly within the tumor; Chemotherapy, where chemical substances are used to treat the disease and Radioactive Iodine Treatment for hyperthyroidism. It is delivered in a single dose and has minimal or no side effects.
CHSL's new Clinac i)( linear accelerator delivers significant improvements in precision and reduced treatment times, enabling its Radiation Treatment Centre to efficiently deliver wide-ranging radiation therapy treatments including 3D Conformal Radiotherapy, Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and MV based Image Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT).
The most experienced and affordable private cancer treatment centre in the country, CHSL has successfully administered radiation therapy to over 5,000 patients 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. Besides its two radiation treatment units — the Ceylinco Radiation Treatment Centre and the Ceylinco TomoTherapy Centre, Ceylinco Healthcare Services owns and operates the Ceylinco Diabetes
Centre, offering comprehensive screening, diagnostic services and medical care.
Read more- Ceylinco Healthcare doubles capacity to administer Radioactive Iodine treatment
- Ceylinco Healthcare’s TomoTherapy Centre treats 50 patients in five months
- Ceylinco Healthcare offers up to 20% off on breast Cancer Screening this October
- Ceylinco Healthcare surpasses 200 TomoTherapy patient treatments