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| Thursday, 25 March 2004 |
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Bold steps by PA to boost health by a correspondent Sri Lanka's health sector is largely run by the State and it is the responsibility of the ruling party to provide sufficient health facilities in State hospitals and ensure the well-being of the masses.
According to international reports, Sri Lanka's achievements in the health sector have been well above those with comparable per capita incomes. However, the major health facilities in the country are congested and the occupancy rates in public hospitals are over 100 percent. Having realised the importance of addressing the issues in the health sector the PA Government decided to appoint a Presidential Task Force (PTF). The PTF, in 1997 recommended major reforms to meet these challenges. In 2001, the total Government expenditure on health services amounted to Rs. 18,772 million or 1.3 percent of GDP. Recommendations made by the PTF in key areas were identified for immediate implementation. These included the development of at least one hospital in each district, strengthening of health services for the disabled, elderly and mental patients, health promotional programs, improvement of supportive services and reforms in the organisational structure. Under the project to improve hospitals at the district level, 27 hospitals were selected and development of two hospitals in Hambantota and Polonnaruwa was completed by the end of 2001. To provide quality health care services in the estate sector, 50 estate hospitals were identified to be taken over by the Government. Twenty one have been taken over and their services have been improved. The PA government also took action to strengthen and decentralise mental health facilities and promote school health. The total number of Government hospitals remained unchanged at 585 in 2001. In addition to State sector health improvements, the Government also took initiatives to promote investments in the private sector and it succeeded in bringing Apollo Hospitals to Sri Lanka. There was much emphasis on controlling and spreading diseases. Several health infrastructure projects were in progress during 2001. With financial assistance from Korea, two eight-storeyed buildings were constructed for the base hospitals at Gampaha and Negombo at a cost of RS. 981 million. The construction work on the National Nephrology Dialysis and Transplantation Centre at Maligawatte at a cost of Rs. 290 million was in progress in 2001. Action taken by the PA Government from 1994 to 2001 to upgrade the health facilities in the country was remarkable. Its timely involvement in issues prevented the sector getting into jeopardy. The Government has also been able to get foreign funds to set up many projects in the health sector. Sri Lanka has a widespread network of health care institutions. The continuous provision of public health care services free of charge and the implementation of generous welfare programs by the Government have resulted in a significant improvement in the health status of the people. (Source - Central Bank of Sri Lanka) |
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