In the first half of 2025, 6,700 new cancer patients were registered at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital.
Accordingly, the estimated total number of patients, including those returning for treatment, has reached about 60,000.
However, there has been no significant increase in new cancer patients compared to the same period last year, said Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hasanka Wijemuni.
Despite the increase in the number of patients, the hospital is facing a shortage of medical staff, especially doctors and nurses.
To address this, the Ministry of Health plans to provide post-internship appointments to about 1,400 doctors, recruit more nurses through nursing schools, and directly recruit nursing graduates, said Dr. Wijemuni.
Funds have been allocated for the repair of medical equipment and the purchase of new medical equipment, and these targets are expected to be met soon.
Dr. Wijemuni said that the ministry has also identified environmental and food safety risks such as chemical pollution, air pollution and unsafe food practices as causes of cancer.
As part of its preventive care approach, Apeksha Hospital offers genetic screening for families with a history of certain cancers.
For example, relatives of breast cancer patients are encouraged to undergo regular mammograms. Dr. Wijemuni said that this family-based screening is particularly relevant for genetically linked cancers such as breast and colon cancer.