Six critical units in the Accident Service Building of the National Hospital in Colombo have been operating under severe strain for nearly a year due to a malfunctioning central air-conditioning system.
The affected units—two surgical complexes, two Intensive Care Units (ICUs), and two radiotherapy units—depend on stable temperature and humidity settings to function safely, but only one of the system’s three machines remains operational.
Hospital sources warned that the breakdown is more than an inconvenience as it jeopardises infection control during surgery and other treatments, and places high-value medical equipment, including operating theatre machinery and respiratory support ventilators at significant risk.
The operating theatres, eight in total and used round-the-clock, have seen staff faint and struggle in overheated conditions.
Hygiene protocols are compromised as excessive sweating and the use of electric fans in operating rooms make it difficult to maintain sterile environments.
Despite repeated appeals by the administrator of the Accident Service, no durable solution has been arranged.
The absence of a duly appointed Deputy Director General at the National Hospital is reported to be hampering efforts to address the crisis.
Staff say hospital leadership has raised concerns multiple times, but with limited response, the problem persists.
The failure to repair is causing not just discomfort, but serious threats to patient safety and the viability of expensive medical equipment housed in those hospital units.
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