Lankan health services best in S. Asia - Dr Mahipala

The UNICEF and the World Health Organisation have clarified that the health standard of Sri Lanka is better than any other country in South Asia, said Healthcare and Nutrition Ministry Public Health Services Deputy Director Dr Palitha Mahipala at the Asi Disi Vidvath Hamuwa held at the Mass Media and Information Ministry yesterday.

He said: "Our health standards are unmatched with any other country in the South Asia region because we always go to the grassroots level to tackle a problem. So we hope we have the trust and faith of the people because it is their health which is at stake."

However, Sri Lanka has done well despite the rapid outbreak of diseases in the South Asian region, said Dr. Mahipala.

He said nearly US $ 40 million in international funds have been allocated to sterilise dogs to eliminate rabies completely from Sri Lanka by 2016.

The spread of HIV (AIDS) has declined and international funds have been allocated to control AIDS in Sri Lanka.