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Easing the common man's health worries

Fast breaking developments, on both the political and economic fronts have had the happy consequence of bringing into the limelight the common man and his woes. Whether it be the vicissitudes of the peace process, VAT, bus fares or fatal road accidents the lot of the ordinary people is coming very much into focus and compelling the Government, in particular to explore all avenues of bringing relief to them. This, in fact, was a principal theme of Cabinet spokesman, Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris.

While the Government goes about the task of setting up the necessary mechanisms to ensure a fair deal to the public in the provision of everyday essentials, which impact substantially on our cost of living, every effort must also be made to guarantee quality public services which tend to be lost sight of amid everyday concerns. This reflection is forced on us by a report from the East, which we frontpaged yesterday, of the desperate situation into which patients in provincial hospitals are forced by negligent doctors.

It is reported that a Health Ministry flying squad had caught some doctors red-handed at the Pottuvil provincial hospital, while engaging in private practice during their official working hours. Reportedly, hundreds of patients were left stranded at the hospital, while the errant doctors conducted their illicit business in their official quarters, right opposite their place of work. We now hope that ill-thought out trade union action wouldn't get in the way of these doctors being taken to task in terms of the relevant administrative regulations.

We urge the authorities to continue with monitoring activities of this kind because they owe it to the ordinary people to provide them the best services, particularly at a time when the needs of the affluent are being met to a degree by the private sector.

Recently, the country witnessed the launching of another privately-owned well-equipped sophisticated hospital in the heart of Colombo, offering a variety of services to patients. While this newcomer to the provision of medical services should be warmly welcomed, it is our hope that it will prove a boon to the common people too.

Meanwhile, State-owned hospitals should be compelled to deliver quality services to the people. Given their fluctuating economic fortunes, the majority of the people would be forced into a closer reliance on State hospitals. What would be the lot of the ordinary citizen if some doctors in these hospitals prefer to play truant rather than pursue their profession diligently ?

In this connection it is gladdening to note that the authorities are paying attention to the need to provide medicines at reasonable prices. The State Pharmaceuticals Corporation in particular, is beginning to play a more significant role in the life of the people, and this is a welcome development. Inasmuch as Government doctors should ensure quality services to the public, they should also enable the public to obtain reliable drugs at purse-easy prices. This is where the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation could play a major role. The common man's medical woes could be eased somewhat if he is directed to State institutions, such as the SPC, for the obtaining of drugs.

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