Sri Lanka: improved cardiac care through advanced equipment and expertise

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in Sri Lanka. However there is a lack of specialized cardiac care, medical equipment, and ongoing training for specialists, particularly in rural and structurally weak regions. Many patients do not receive timely or adequate treatment, resulting in preventable deaths. During a first visit of members of the Heart Clinic Foundation in October 2023 to the southern part of Sri Lanka and the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle, we observed immense potential to improve cardiovascular care in this region.

The goal is to establish a sustainable charity project with the support of the Heart Clinic Foundation that enables life-saving cardiological diagnostics, treatment, and prevention in Sri Lanka, especially at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle, which is responsible for the medical care of approximately 5 million inhabitants. This includes, among other things:

1. Donating an angiography machine (cath lab) and medications

2. Performing free percutaneous coronary interventions or heart surgeries for patients in need

3. Transferring knowledge by training local medical staff

4. Establishing a long-term partnership with the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital in Galle

As the Heart Clinic Foundation is part of the renowned Heart Clinic Hirslanden in Zurich with a high level of medical expertise in the field of cardiology and cardiac surgery, the Heart Clinic Foundation’s commitment not only saves lives, but also strengthens medical standards worldwide. The project provides an opportunity to assume social responsibility, raise global awareness of medical excellence, and actively contribute to reducing health inequalities across the globe.

With the donation of a state-of-the-art angiography machine, significant results can be achieved – percutaneous coronary intervention or heart surgery can save a life. Close cooperation between the Heart Clinic Foundation and the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital ensures a long-term, culturally sensitive, and sustainable approach to the project.