KDU Hospital to expand free cardiothoracic surgery programme

The agreement establishes a framework for expanding the hospital's existing cardiothoracic surgery initiative, which provides surgical interventions at no cost to eligible patients requiring complex heart and chest procedures. The expansion is expected to increase capacity and extend services to a broader patient population, addressing a critical healthcare need in Sri Lanka where cardiac conditions represent a significant disease burden.

Cardiothoracic surgery encompasses procedures to treat congenital heart defects, coronary artery disease, valvular disorders, and other cardiac and thoracic conditions. By enhancing the free service offering at KDU Hospital, the initiative aims to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent patients from accessing life-saving surgical care.

The memorandum of understanding outlines the operational and resource requirements necessary to sustain and scale the cardiothoracic programme. Details regarding implementation timelines, patient eligibility criteria, and anticipated service volumes are expected to be communicated by hospital authorities in coming weeks.

KDU Hospital has positioned itself as a regional centre for cardiac care, and the expansion aligns with broader efforts to strengthen tertiary healthcare services across Sri Lanka. The initiative reflects the institution's commitment to providing equitable access to specialised surgical services regardless of patients' socioeconomic circumstances.