RUZAIK FAROOK
COLOMBO – The relaunch of Western Hospital as Arora Hospital was marked by a grand opening ceremony held on Wednesday, October 4, at its premises on Cotta Road, Borella, Colombo 8. The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Chairperson of the Hospital, Dr. Habeeba Sheriff.
The Chief Guest, Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika, hoisted the National Flag, while the Guest of Honour, Secretary of the Private Healthcare Services Regulatory Council, Dr. T.M.I.S. Priyantha, hoisted the Arora Hospital flag. The Chief Guest also ceremonially cut the ribbon and unveiled the commemorative plaque to mark the official opening of the hospital. Zainab Sheriff delivered the welcome address.
Addressing the gathering, Chairperson Dr. Habeeba Sheriff spoke of the beginning of a new chapter in a journey that commenced more than four decades ago — a journey driven by a vision and a heartfelt commitment to healing with empathy.
She recalled how the journey began with her late father, Professor Rezvi Sheriff, a pioneer of nephrology in Sri Lanka, who dedicated his life to providing compassionate care to patients suffering from kidney disease.
She further highlighted Professor Sheriff’s pioneering contributions to the field of nephrology and transplantation, describing him as an innovator who constantly pursued excellence and never settled for anything ordinary or mediocre.
Among his many groundbreaking achievements were the introduction of the first dialysis services, the first Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) programme and the first kidney transplantation in Sri Lanka, as well as the introduction of new medications in the field of transplantation.
Professor Sheriff’s passion for healing also extended beyond Sri Lanka. He introduced immunosuppressive therapy for transplant patients in Nigeria and trained doctors in Fiji to perform renal biopsies, extending his knowledge and expertise to the international medical community.
Dr. Habeeba Sheriff explained that the concept of Arora was born during her father’s lifetime, in response to the changing landscape of private healthcare and the evolving needs of patients. Recognising the growing importance of modern, technology-driven healthcare, the vision was to create a hospital that combined medical innovation with compassionate patient care.
In keeping with this vision, Arora Hospital has implemented a state-of-the-art, AI-enabled Hospital Information System developed by 21C Care, a leading Sri Lankan software development company specialising in healthcare information systems.
The system enables doctors and nursing staff to access and monitor patients’ medical records in real time. It also incorporates AI-powered predictive intelligence to assist doctors in evaluating and identifying the most appropriate treatment options, thereby supporting more informed clinical decision-making.
She emphasised that Arora is not merely a rebranding exercise, but rather a reinvigoration of her father’s enduring passion and commitment to providing quality and affordable healthcare to all patients.
Built on the core values of compassion and care, Arora Hospital is committed to treating patients as individuals rather than simply addressing their illnesses. The hospital strives for excellence in every aspect of its services, with a promise to stand by patients throughout their healthcare journey — from admission and treatment to discharge and post-recovery care.
Dr. Habeeba Sheriff also expressed pride in the hospital’s dedicated, efficient and talented team, which includes some of the most experienced healthcare professionals in the field of renal medicine. She reaffirmed the hospital’s commitment to continuously enhancing its services and embracing innovation to deliver better healthcare outcomes for its patients.
The Chief Guest, Member of Parliament Dr. Najith Indika, and Guest of Honour, Secretary of the Private Healthcare Services Regulatory Council, Dr. T.M.I.S. Priyantha, also addressed the gathering, extending their remarks and best wishes on the occasion.
The ceremony was attended by Faiszer Musthapha MP, professors, consultants, members of the medical and nursing staff, and family members, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Arora Hospital.
