Funds allocated to develop health sector

COLOMBO: The Government has allocated Rs. 52,000 million to develop the health sector and the government's aim is to establish a good and quality health service in the country, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

The Minister was speaking at a ceremony to handover appointment letters to 350 Post Intern Doctors. The ceremony was held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute.

De Silva said it was relief for him that 347 new doctors are being added to the health sector. "The country needs at least another 3,000 doctors.

He said his Ministry has been criticised for not providing services to various areas. "We have been unable to provide services to some areas.

The new appointments will enable us to rectify these shortcomings," he said. The Minister said operations at the Badulla Hospital had been postponed due the shortage of anaesthetists.