Hospital authorities have explained why the large-scale king coconut donation program for cancer patients receiving residential treatment at the National Cancer Institute, Maharagama, has been stopped.
They say that the hospital administration has taken steps to limit the program due to the health, safety and privacy concerns of patients.
The hospital administration states that this program, which was carried out seven days a week, was held near the hospital's laboratory with the participation of a large number of people and it was observed that many outsiders also joined it without formal permission.
In this regard, the observations made by the Director of the National Cancer Institute and the lengthy discussions held with specialist doctors, heads of departments and the hospital committee have led to the fact that many adverse effects on patient care services have been reported, and the apple donation program has had to be limited.
It is stated that close attention has been paid to the issues of providing substandard and unhygienic king coconut water to critically ill cancer patients with weakened immune systems, outsiders entering the wards without protective masks and gloves, and taking photos and videos that violate the privacy of patients and spreading them on social media.
It is estimated that the number of king coconut required daily for patients is between 100 and 200, and to meet that need, donors have been given permission to deliver king coconut to the main kitchen through the food ordering officer, according to sources at Apeksha Hospital.