Health Minister orders probe on malpractices in hospitals

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

COLOMBO: Health Care and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva has ordered an immediate investigation into some 300 files on cases of irregularities and malpractices reported in several hospitals countrywide that have been gathering dust at the Health Ministry over a considerable period, sources said.

De Silva, one of the Ministers to retain his Ministry in yesterday's Cabinet reshuffle, has ordered the officials to carry out investigations into these files immediately, complete inquiries and hand over the documents to the Public Service Commission for action to be taken against the culprits.

According to the sources, there are about 300 files which had come from different hospitals that are gathering dust at the ministry for years without investigations being conducted.

Among these files there are cases related to Government doctors conducting private practice during duty hours, malpractices by nursing and minor staff and workers being absent at their duty posts during their rostered time and even complaints against drivers, according to these sources.

The investigations will be carried out immediately on these 300 files and action will be take to hand over the cases to the Public Service Commission for action to be taken action against those involved, the sources added.