Repairs hospital’s Oxygen Concentrator and integrates it with piped gas system
Ceylinco Life has reinforced its long-standing commitment to Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system with the donation of a comprehensive Centralised Medical Gas Pipeline System (MGPS) to the Teaching Hospital Kalutara, enabling a significant advancement in patient safety, surgical capability and hospital infrastructure.
Implemented at a total cost of Rs. 19 million, which included the repair of the hospital’s Oxygen Concentrator and its integration with the piped gas system, the project was fully funded by Sri Lanka’s life insurance market leader as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme focused on strengthening government healthcare institutions.
Replacing the hospital’s previous dependence on manual cylinder-based supply, the MGPS introduces a reliable, continuous and clinically efficient delivery of essential medical gases across critical care areas. The system comprises four dedicated gas lines: Medical Air maintained at approximately 4 bar for patient breathing, anaesthesia delivery and neonatal care; Surgical Air at 7 bar to power pneumatic surgical equipment such as drills and bone saws and surgical pendants; Nitrous Oxide (N₂O) for anaesthesia and sedation; and Oxygen delivered through a centralised pipeline for uninterrupted clinical use.
A key feature of the project is the integration of the hospital’s oxygen concentrator into the pipeline network, enabling it to operate at full capacity and deliver medical-grade oxygen at a purity of up to 95 per cent. This entailed the repair of the concentrator which had not been used for a long time, the addition of an annual maintenance kit, and the installation of an automatic changeover panel for the hospital’s medical gas network. This automatic changeover panel ensures a continuous and uninterrupted oxygen supply by automatically switching between sources during pressure drops or failures, improving patient safety, system reliability, and emergency readiness while eliminating reliance on manual intervention. This has significantly stabilised oxygen supply within the hospital, the company said.
At present, the system ensures uninterrupted delivery of medical gases to Wards 03, 16 and 10, as well as Operating Theatres C and D, supporting 60 inpatient beds, five operating theatre beds, and approximately 40 surgical procedures each day.
Enhancing safety further, the project includes the installation of an Anaesthesia Gas Scavenging System (AGSS), designed to safely capture and remove waste anaesthetic gases from operating theatres. This critical addition protects both patients and healthcare staff from exposure to residual gases, reducing short- and long-term health risks while supporting safer working environments.
Commenting on the impact of the project, Medical Director Dr. (Mrs.) S. M. P. Karunarathne said the new system represents a transformative upgrade to the hospital’s clinical infrastructure. She noted that the availability of a stable, centrally managed supply of medical gases has significantly improved the hospital’s ability to respond to patient needs promptly and safely, particularly in critical care and surgical settings, and resulted in a saving of Rs 75,000 per month to the hospital. The addition of the AGSS, she added, has further strengthened safety standards for both patients and medical staff.
Ceylinco Life Executive Chairman R. Renganathan emphasised the broader purpose behind the initiative, stating: “We at Ceylinco Life believe that Sri Lanka has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, not because we have the most advanced equipment, but because every citizen can obtain the best of treatment free of charge. However, this system faces challenges due to limited resources. As a result, waiting lists are common, and many patients often seek medical care in the private sector.”
He added that recognising these challenges, the company had, many years ago, committed to supporting government hospitals. “At the Kalutara Nagoda Hospital, we discovered an oxygen concentrator lying idle. After repairing it, we extended the oxygen distribution system to key areas of the hospital,” he said. “We are delighted at the success of the project and its contribution to improved patient outcomes.”
With the commissioning of the new piped medical gas system, the hospital has reported marked improvements in patient care and operational performance. These include a drastic reduction in oxygen supply interruptions, lower risk of hypoxia and delayed oxygen delivery, fewer operating theatre delays, and a reduction in emergency escalations linked to oxygen shortages.
Operational efficiencies have also been substantial. The system has eliminated the need for approximately 50 oxygen cylinder changes per month, saving more than 250 minutes of staff handling time monthly, while enabling faster operating theatre turnover and smoother clinical workflows.
The donation to Teaching Hospital Kalutara follows a similar intervention by Ceylinco Life in 2023, when the company funded a piped oxygen distribution system for the Matale District General Hospital at a cost of Rs. 12.3 million. That project enabled uninterrupted oxygen supply to nearly 300 beds, significantly improving treatment outcomes and operational efficiency.
Over the years, Ceylinco Life has made numerous contributions to Sri Lanka’s state healthcare sector, including the donation of purpose-built and fully-equipped High Dependency Units (HDUs) to several leading hospitals. These initiatives have helped enhance critical care capacity, improve patient outcomes, and ease pressure on intensive care facilities. The MGPS and AGSS installed at Teaching Hospital Kalutara represent a long-term, sustainable investment in the delivery of high-quality healthcare that further demonstrates Ceylinco Life’s role as a committed partner in strengthening the nation’s public health system.
Recognised as the Best Life Insurer in Sri Lanka by World Finance for the 12th consecutive year and voted the ‘Peoples Life Insurance Service Provider of the Year’ for an unprecedented 20th consecutive year in 2025, Ceylinco Life offers innovative insurance solutions that protect and de-risk the ambitions of policyholders. In 2025, Ceylinco Life was also ranked the most valuable insurance brand in Sri Lanka and the 22nd most valuable brand overall by Brand Finance.
The Company has additionally been adjudged Sri Lanka’s Brand of the Year twice within the past five years and has been recognised among the 10 Most Admired Companies in Sri Lanka by the International Chamber of Commerce Sri Lanka (ICCSL) and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).
