The Ministry of Health and Mass Media has launched a programme to strengthen Sri Lanka’s public health system by introducing five advanced mammography machines to major state hospitals, aimed at improving early detection and follow-up care for breast cancer.

The equipment, valued at Rs. 765 million in total, will be supplied to the National Hospital of Sri Lanka, Karapitiya National Hospital, Kandy National Hospital, Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, and Apeksha Hospital.

Each machine costs Rs. 153 million and the procurement is funded through the Health System Enhancement Project with support from the Asian Development Bank.

The ministry said the new technology will improve early detection of breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, and help identify abnormalities at a much earlier stage, while also strengthening follow-up treatment services.

In addition, two used mammography machines will be provided to the Trincomalee and Nuwara Eliya District General Hospitals to address urgent needs.

Currently, 16 mammography machines operate in government hospitals across the country, and the number will increase to 23 with the new additions.

The ministry noted that hospitals already equipped with mammography services include major teaching and general hospitals islandwide, but long waiting lists—ranging from weeks to months—continue due to high demand and limited capacity.

Officials said the expansion is expected to reduce waiting times and improve the efficiency and quality of cancer screening services in the public health system.