Programme to upgrade traditional health system

Chaminda PERERA

COLOMBO: The Indigenous Medicine Ministry will assist traditional medical practitioners by setting up special First Aid Wards under the Hela Veda Gedara programme.

This programme aims to protect and upgrade the traditional health system in keeping with the Mahinda Chinthana policy frame-work.

Indigenous Medicine Minister Tissa Karaliyadda recently laid a foundation stone for another ward (Helaveda Gedera) costing Rs. one million for ABM Jayawardene a traditional orthopaedic doctor in Ella Pradeshiya Saba division in the Uva province.

The Minister speaking on the occasion said the Government would provide every support to traditional doctors in their endeavour to ensure healthy nation expecting nothing in return.

The Minister said an Act would soon be presented to the parliament for the upliftment and regularisation of Panchakarma treatment which is popular among foreigners.

Provincial Health Minister Dr Rohana Pushpakumara also participated.