NCP hospitals short of doctors
Nimal WIJESINGHE- Anuradhapura Additional District
group correspondent
North Central Provincial Health Minister Peshala Jayarathne has urged
the Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to intervene in solving the
acute shortage of doctors and nursing staff in the North Central
Province which has badly affected rural hospitals.
This situation has caused the closure of six rural hospitals
including Thittagonewa and Mahasenpura hospitals. There is a dearth of
around 175 doctors in the Province.
"I have requested the Health Minister to arrange the services of
internship doctors at the Rajarata University medical faculty,"
Jayarathne said.
He added that more attention has to be given to the prevention of
renal diseases which have been on the rise in certain areas of the
province. The establishment of modern medical and health facilities at
rural hospitals including official quarters equipped with basic living
facilities for doctors and other employees are also needed, he said.
He said that there would be a regularization programme to govern all
medical institutes and medical practitioners in the private sector.
Stern action would be taken in dealing with bogus doctors, unlawful
medical institutes, unlicensed pharmacies and unqualified employees.
"I have proposed a Provincial Health Services statute to invigorate
the present provincial medical services structure. The regulations and
criteria introduced in the proposed statute would help us minimize
malpractices and waste, and to offer a satisfactory medical service to
the public," Jayarathne said.
"We have started Suwa Sahana societies in every hospital in the
province which coordinate the health education, and promotion and
protection programmes on a voluntary basis.
"Under the proposed statute these societies would be empowered to do
more work," the Provincial Minister added.
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