Varian and DIMO Healthcare host symposium to elevate cancer care in Sri Lanka through advanced radiation therapy solutions

DIMO Healthcare, the healthcare arm of leading diversified conglomerate DIMO, and Varian, a global leader in the oncology sphere and part of Siemens Healthineers, recently organized ‘The Varian Technology Symposium’ in Sri Lanka.  

The Symposium was designed to raise awareness among medical professionals and highlight the pivotal role of advanced radiation therapy technology, to address the country’s growing cancer care needs. The objective of the event was to drive conversations around improving access to effective cancer treatment and elevating the standard of care in Sri Lanka. 

Dr. Nidhi Patni, Director of Radiation Oncology at Narayana Hospital in Jaipur, India, addressed the Symposium, and emphasized the importance of introducing advanced radiation therapy solutions to enhance cancer care in Sri Lanka. She highlighted the need for increasing the number of linear accelerators (LINACs) per million people, a critical step toward addressing the nation’s rising cancer burden.

The Varian Technology Symposium, served as a platform to explore the latest advancements in radiation technology. The event brought together over 40 healthcare professionals from across the country, offering them a comprehensive look at the cutting-edge technologies that are shaping cancer care around the world. Varian is a global leader in radiation oncology, offering software, machines, data and care teams for cancer treatment. DIMO Healthcare, is the distributor for the Varian product range in Sri Lanka.

A major highlight of the symposium was the potential for advanced LINAC systems to replace Cobalt-based technologies, which have already been phased out in many countries. The compact design and ease of installation of modern LINAC systems offer significant advantages, particularly in resource-limited settings. As a result, these technologies promise to enhance both treatment throughput and patient outcomes, raising the standard of care in Sri Lanka.

An interactive panel discussion titled ‘Innovations in Radiation Technology for Accessible and Efficient Cancer Care’ enriched the event, with experts exploring how advancements in radiation therapy could improve access to quality cancer care in Sri Lanka. The session garnered active participation from the audience, who posed insightful questions regarding the implementation of these technologies in the local healthcare system.

Mr. Wijith Pushpawela, Executive Director of DIMO and head of DIMO Healthcare, emphasized the significance of this symposium in educating the local medical community. “This event marks a vital step in equipping healthcare professionals with the latest knowledge on advanced radiation therapy solutions. As a responsible corporate citizen, DIMO is committed to supporting Sri Lanka’s efforts to combat the cancer burden by enhancing the expertise of professionals in the oncology field. Through initiatives like this, we aim to continue fuelling the dreams and aspirations of our communities while building a healthier nation,” he stated.

The symposium also featured technical discussions led by Varian’s product experts, who highlighted the simplicity, efficiency, and compact design of their radiation therapy solutions. These presentations sparked significant interest among attendees, furthering discussions about the future of cancer care in Sri Lanka.

To date, Varian technology has been deployed at many cancer care institutions in Sri Lanka such as National Cancer Institute’s Apeksha Hospital, Asiri Surgical Hospital (Colombo 5) and Ceylinco Cancer Centre (Colombo 2), with the objective of elevating the accessibility of advanced cancer care across the island. DIMO Healthcare is equipped with an aftersales service team of highly trained biomedical engineers with a proven track record of rapid installations, minimal downtime, and meticulous quality control. This ensures seamless integration and ongoing maintenance of Varian’s highly sophisticated technology.

With a successful partnership spanning over seven decades, Siemens Healthineers and DIMO Healthcare have built a foundation of trust and collaboration. This strong relationship led Siemens Healthineers to appoint DIMO Healthcare as the distributor for Varian in Sri Lanka.

DIMO Healthcare together with Varian remains dedicated to driving innovation and knowledge-sharing in the healthcare sector, empowering the local medical fraternity to embrace the latest advancements in cancer treatment technology.

END

Photo Caption: Pannel Discussion at ‘The Varian Technology Symposium’

About DIMO

Diesel & Motor Engineering PLC (DIMO) is involved in a number of related fields and represents many prestigious principals – Mercedes-Benz, Siemens, Jeep, KSB, TATA Motors, MTU, Komatsu, Michelin, Zeiss, MRF, Bomag, Claas, TK Elevator, Mahindra Tractors and Stanley to name a few. From a company known for vehicles, DIMO today has diversified into many areas. Medical Engineering, Building Management Systems and Services, Power Generation and Distribution, Material Handling, Storage and Warehouse solutions, Power Tools, Agricultural Equipment, Total Lighting Solutions, Power systems and Generators, Refrigeration, Ship Repairing and Driver Training Courses are some of the areas into which DIMO has entered during the past few decades. DIMO has also diversified into fertilizer and agriculture input market. DIMO successfully entered into overseas markets in the Maldives and Myanmar, by expanding their Marine and General Engineering services through partnerships in the Maldives and their automobiles and automobile servicing segments into Myanmar. DIMO is currently working to consolidate on current overseas operations with new markets in East Africa.