Feature image courtesy of Colombo Gazette.
Asiri Central Hospital has achieved a significant milestone in paediatric cardiac care with the successful completion of its 100th Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) heart surgery under the Government of Sri Lanka’s Suraksha Insurance Scheme, providing 100 schoolchildren born with congenital heart defects with the opportunity to lead healthier and more active lives.
The achievement, reported by Colombo Gazette on 6 September 2026, represents more than a clinical figure. It demonstrates how a carefully structured public-private partnership can help make specialised healthcare accessible to children who might otherwise face lengthy delays or substantial financial difficulties when treatment is required.
A milestone in paediatric cardiac care
All 100 procedures were carried out under the Suraksha Insurance Scheme, a free national insurance programme for school students implemented by the Ministry of Education in partnership with Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd.
The scheme is intended to provide financial protection for eligible students and support access to treatment for significant medical conditions, including critical illnesses and major procedures such as heart surgery. Under the programme, schoolchildren requiring eligible cardiac care can receive assistance that reduces the financial burden placed on families at a time when medical concerns are already considerable.
For Asiri Central Hospital, the completion of the 100th ASD operation has highlighted the value of combining public insurance support with private-sector clinical expertise, specialised facilities and coordinated patient care. The arrangement has enabled children from different parts of Sri Lanka to access advanced cardiac services, receive treatment and return to their education and daily routines with renewed health and confidence.
Understanding an atrial septal defect
An Atrial Septal Defect, commonly described as a “hole in the heart”, is a congenital condition in which an opening exists between the upper chambers of the heart. The condition is present from birth and may vary in size and clinical significance.
Although some children may show few obvious symptoms in the early stages, an untreated ASD can place additional strain on the heart and lungs over time. Depending on the nature of the defect, potential long-term complications may include impaired physical development, reduced exercise tolerance, recurrent respiratory problems, abnormal heart rhythms and other effects on overall quality of life.
Early assessment and appropriate medical management are therefore important. Diagnosis may involve clinical examination, echocardiography and other specialist investigations, after which a medical team determines whether monitoring, catheter-based treatment or surgery is required.
The availability of timely intervention is particularly important for children whose families may not be able to meet the cost of specialised diagnosis, hospitalisation and surgery independently. In this context, the Suraksha Scheme serves as an instrumental bridge between medical need and financial access.
A coordinated journey from diagnosis to recovery
The success of paediatric cardiac surgery depends not only on the operation itself but also on the sequence of care that precedes and follows it. At Asiri Central Hospital, the patient journey encompasses diagnosis, clinical assessment, pre-operative preparation, anaesthesia, surgery, intensive care, rehabilitation and follow-up.
This integrated model requires close coordination among paediatric cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anaesthetists, perfusionists, intensive care specialists, physiotherapists and nursing teams. Every stage must be adapted to the child’s age, physical condition and specific cardiac requirements, while parents and guardians must be guided through the process with clarity and sensitivity.
The hospital’s paediatric cardiac services are supported by cardiac catheterisation laboratories, dedicated cardiac intensive care units and advanced surgical facilities. These resources allow complex procedures to be undertaken within an environment where diagnosis, intervention and post-operative monitoring can be closely connected.
Asiri Health’s published information on its heart centres also identifies cardiac catheterisation, ASD closure, diagnostic investigations and rehabilitation among its cardiac services. The hospital network describes a multidisciplinary approach intended to support patients from initial diagnosis through treatment and recovery.
The people behind the milestone
The 100 successful operations were made possible through the combined commitment of a specialised medical and nursing team.
The named clinical team includes Dr M. S. Mugunthan, Consultant Cardiothoracic Surgeon attached to Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo, and Asiri Central Hospital; Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Asitha Dissanayake; and Consultant Anaesthetist Dr Geetha Jayathilake.
Their work was supported by the dedicated surgical and nursing teams at Asiri Central Hospital, whose responsibilities extended across operating theatre preparation, anaesthesia, perfusion, intensive care, medication management, monitoring, rehabilitation and family support.
The contribution of Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children, Colombo, is also significant within the wider context of paediatric cardiac care in Sri Lanka. Cooperation between public institutions and private hospitals can help expand capacity, reduce pressure on waiting lists and provide additional pathways for children requiring specialist procedures.
Public insurance and private expertise
The achievement illustrates the practical potential of public-private cooperation in healthcare. Public insurance programmes are able to provide a framework for financial protection, while private hospitals can contribute specialised facilities, experienced teams and additional treatment capacity.
For families, the most important outcome is that a child’s access to essential treatment is not determined solely by household income. The Suraksha Scheme’s support, combined with Asiri Central Hospital’s discounted packages and specialist services, has helped transform a potentially overwhelming medical diagnosis into a structured pathway towards treatment.
Asiri Health states that its Suraksha services include support for eligible students requiring “hole in the heart” procedures involving ASD and Ventricular Septal Defect repairs. The hospital network also identifies dedicated support arrangements for Suraksha beneficiaries, helping families understand documentation and hospital processes.
The scheme’s effectiveness will depend on continued awareness, timely referrals, clear administrative procedures and sustained cooperation between the Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation General Ltd, public hospitals and participating private healthcare providers. Greater awareness among schools, parents and healthcare professionals could help ensure that eligible children are identified and referred without unnecessary delay.
A healthier future for 100 children
Each of the 100 ASD surgeries represents an individual child, a family and a future made more secure through access to specialist care. The significance of the milestone is therefore measured not only by the number of operations completed but also by the opportunities restored to children who can now approach school, play and everyday activities with improved health.
Asiri Central Hospital has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding specialised clinical services, investing in advanced medical technology and working with national partners to deliver timely and compassionate care. The 100th procedure offers a positive example of how institutional cooperation, medical expertise and social responsibility can combine to improve health outcomes across Sri Lanka.
For Sri Lankan families in Australia and around the world, the milestone is a welcome reminder of the progress being made in the country’s healthcare sector. eLanka continues to share positive stories concerning Sri Lankan institutions, professionals and community initiatives through its news and articles platform, helping readers remain connected with constructive developments in Sri Lanka and among Sri Lankans worldwide.
This article is for general information and does not replace advice from a qualified medical professional. Families seeking advice about a child’s heart condition should consult an appropriately qualified healthcare provider.
This article was written based on the source http://colombogazette.com/2026/09/06/asiri-central-hospital-marks-100-successful-pediatric-heart-surgeries-under-suraksha-insurance-scheme, kindly email us at info@eLanka.com.au if any information needs to be corrected.
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