Durdans embarks on new hospital

* Construction of Durdans Medical and Surgical Hospitals begins with Rs 1.8 billion investment
* Room capacity increases 100%; six suites added
* Dedicated specialty and channeling floors; competencies increased

Ceylon Hospitals Plc recently began work on its second BOI venture, Durdans Medical and Surgical Hospitals (Pvt) Limited budgeting a total investment of Rs 1.8 billion.
While the existing Durdans Hospital and the Durdans Heart Centre which has to date performed the largest number of cardiac interventions among private healthcare will continue in the current vein, the separately run economic entity will add 12 floors to a twin block standing alongside the current premises on seventy perches of land. Having purchased the land adjacent to Durdans, about four years ago, with construction now underway, the new hospital will comprise a main hospital block and a service block which includes a basement, ground plus ten floors and an auditorium at penthouse level.

“Private healthcare is undoubtedly rapidly expanding with patients requiring and demanding new technology and modern methodologies to ensure better care,” explains Chairman of Ceylon Hospitals Plc., Ajith Tudawe. “We have always been in the forefront of pioneering and expanding on world renowned medical paradigms because even though Sri Lanka is considered an emerging economy, we feel that healthcare is one area that the country can command leadership in the region due to our constantly infused new technology and expert healthcare skills. Our new development is simply adding to our portfolio of excellence in healthcare because what we are trying to create is a world class environment in healthcare.” He adds that the new development will constitute a mix of both medical services and surgical procedures in a streamlined manner, with specially demarcated floors and areas for differentiation of specialities, while three levels of parking also being added.

Durdans Medical & Surgical will include new channeling consultation chambers, extended critical care units, nearly 9,000 sq ft for radiology, five dedicated operating theatres, an addition of 160 new beds including those for critical care, completely dedicated Pediatrics department equipped with a Pediatrics Intensive Care Unit and a new Gynecology and Obstetrics department with dedicated wards, labour rooms and NICU. Laboratory facilities will also be incorporated into the new hospital while the 11th floor will house a lecture theatre and library in order to give both specialists and nursing staff access to new information and concerted training and development. “With this development, we will be increasing our entire bed capacity by 100%.” says Tudawe. “We will add a completely new dimension into our core competencies with the addition of a modern orthopedic facility, neuro-surgery and enhancement of the urology discipline. One other unique feature will be the addition of six ultra modern suites, each about 400 sq. ft, in order to cater to a growing demand.” The new hospital will be completed through two phases with eight floors ready for occupation by September 30th 2009.

Durdans recently introduced the latest technology in medical laboratory diagnostics with the launch of the Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory to perform specialised nucleic acid based PCR tests. This assists clinicians to accurately diagnose agents responsible for infectious diseases and genetic/metabolic disorders. While Tudawe mentions that the current hospital functions will not be interrupted in any way, in order to meet the stringent timelines, some of the administrative functions and services will be relocated temporarily to a specially constructed adjacent building. “When complete, this will be an ultra modern hospital, equipped with the best equipment, best consultants and after care, certainly placing Sri Lanka’s healthcare in the league of some of the best in the world.”