The Government’s decision to add five advanced mammography machines to major hospitals reflects a broader challenge facing the public healthcare system: growing demand for diagnostic services and the need to reduce waiting times for patients.
Under a Rs. 765 million programme funded by the Health System Enhancement Project (HSEP) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the new equipment will be installed at the National Hospitals in Colombo, Kandy and Galle, the Teaching Hospital in Anuradhapura, and the Apeksha Hospital in Maharagama.
The expansion is aimed at improving access to breast cancer screening and diagnostic services, particularly at a time when early detection is increasingly recognised as one of the most important factors influencing treatment outcomes.
According to the Ministry of Health, patients currently face waiting periods ranging from several weeks to several months for mammography scans due to high demand and limited capacity. The addition of new machines is expected to ease this pressure and improve access to timely diagnosis.
The project will increase the number of mammography machines available in government hospitals from 16 to 23. In addition to the five new units, two previously used machines will be deployed to the District General Hospitals in Trincomalee and Nuwara Eliya to address immediate service requirements.
The development highlights the growing importance of diagnostic infrastructure within the healthcare system. While hospitals often receive attention for expanding treatment facilities, access to timely diagnosis is equally important, particularly for diseases such as breast cancer where early detection can significantly improve treatment options and patient outcomes.
The investment also reflects an effort to improve the geographical distribution of specialised healthcare services. By expanding access beyond Colombo and a limited number of major centres, health authorities aim to reduce the burden on patients who often travel long distances to obtain diagnostic tests.
As demand for healthcare services continues to increase, investments in diagnostic equipment are becoming an important component of public health planning. The latest expansion suggests that authorities are focusing not only on treatment capacity but also on improving the systems that allow illnesses to be detected and managed at an earlier stage.
For patients, the most immediate impact is likely to be shorter waiting times and improved access to screening services, particularly in hospitals that currently experience high demand for mammography examinations.
Last modified: June 3, 2026
