A prolonged technical malfunction at Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama has plunged the lives of hundreds of pediatric cancer patients into jeopardy. The breakdown of one of the hospital's linear accelerators, essential for administering radiotherapy, has rendered it non-operational since February, according to insider sources.

The Health Ministry's failure to address the issue has exacerbated concerns, with the hospital's five linear accelerators struggling to meet the demand for treatment. The malfunctioning machine, with its specialized features for pediatric patients, has left over 500 patients awaiting crucial treatments, creating a dire situation where lives hang in the balance.

The backlog has forced affected families to consider expensive alternatives, with private hospitals charging exorbitant fees ranging from Rs 700,000 to Rs 17 Million for radiotherapy treatments. Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services, acknowledged the severity of the situation, admitting that patient lives are at risk. Efforts are underway to either repair or replace the malfunctioning machine, he assured.