Archives

Action plan to revive health care facilities in N/E

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

A rapid action plan to revive and upgrade the deteriorating health care facilities in the North and East is now being prepared by the Health Ministry.

Dr. A.L.M. Beligaswatte, Consultant to the Ministry in upgrading health services in the North East told the Daily News that the proposed plan includes both short and medium term schemes to ensure a rapid upgrading of health facilities in the area.

Dr. Beligaswatte attributed the present drawback in the North-East's health facilities to the severe shortage of human resources, equipment and infrastructure, which is a result of the prolonged war.

Under short-term plans, the Ministry will take swift measures to conduct mobile health clinics and strengthen primary facilities such as electricity and water by providing solar powered refrigerators and other equipment. The Ministry has identified districts such as Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Mannar and several parts in the East as areas which need rapid improvements to ensure a satisfactory service.

Besides, blueprints are now being prepared by the Ministry to improve village based health facilities in those areas said Dr. Beligaswatte adding that " UNICEF has already agreed to provide funding to construct 40 primary health care units in those areas and at present we are making arrangements to allocate lands for these projects."

The Ministry also plans to coordinate the health care services rendered by NGOs and foreign funded projects in these areas.

"We have also paid attention to improve tertiary health services in the area and under this, a master plan is now being prepared to develop the Jaffna Hospital while project proposals are being made to upgrade several other hospitals in Trincomalee, Batticaloa and Ampara," he added.

The Ministry also plans to recruit retired health workers to meet the existing shortage of health-care workers in the area.

"Those retired will be offered their full pension together with the last drawn salary, Dr. Beligaswatte added. Earlier, the pensions of those retired health workers who opted to serve was frozen.

He said, Cabinet approval has already been granted for this proposal." Retired health workers in the North-East and as well as in other parts could apply," added Dr. Beligaswatte.

The shortage is found in categories such as nursing, paramedical, radiographers, pharmacists and MLTs.

News | Business | Features | Editorial | Security
Politics | World | Letters | Sports | Obituaries |

Produced by Lake House
Copyright 2001 The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Ltd.
Comments and suggestions to :Web Manager