Over 15,000 nurses to health sector
 

by Bharatha Malawaraarachchi

The Government has launched a crash programme to recruit 15,000 nurses to provide a more satisfactory and up-to-date health services.

Healthcare and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said he has accelerated the recruitment of 15,000 nurses to enhance the health service. It will also ensure a vibrant role for women in the health sector. The Ministry has already recruited 4,500 nurses out of the proposed 15,000. "In the first nine months of our Government, I was able to receive funds from the Treasury and recruit 4,500 nurses."

Minister de Silva assured that he will be recruiting another 11,500 nurses during the next two years. The Minister disclosed he was able to recruit 2,200 midwives last year to ensure an efficient service in every part of the country. Accordingly, there will be one midwife for a population of 5,000 towards the end of this year. "It is a landmark in the history of the country's maternal and child healthcare."

While elaborating on the measures taken by the Government to enhance the quality of maternal and child health care, the Minister said this was a fundamental right of women. The Minister stressed that his Ministry has always taken measures to ensure that the people are provided a very good healthcare system.

"We are working tirelessly to improve the healthcare system," he added.