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President tells Health Ministry TUs:
Discuss issues with Minister
Chaminda PERERA
Patients should receive utmost priority and care in hospitals which
are dedicated to them, President Mahinda Rajapaksa said.
President Rajapaksa said health sector Trade Unions should discuss
their problems with the Minister while giving precedence to patient
care. “The SLFP General Secretary has been entrusted with the duty to
rebuild the health sector in line with the Mahinda Chintana,” he added.
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Hope for Hope
Cancer Hospital |
| President
Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday promised to make allocations to
begin the Hope Cancer Hospital project through the Health
Ministry.
This project initiated by a
number of popular cricketers in Sri Lanka and the Lions Club
in 2002 came to a standstill as they faced difficulties in
generating funds.
A new wing is to be
constructed at the Cancer Institute premises under this
project which is estimated to cost Rs. 750 million.
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The President was speaking at the opening of the Deshamanya AYS
Gnanam Memorial Operating Theatre complex at the Maharagama Cancer
Institute yesterday.
This project which cost over Rs. 60 million was sponsored by Rhino
Roofing Sheet Company. Various private and State institutions and
philanthropists have also provided financial assistance.
President Rajapaksa said the health sector faced criticism in the
past.
He said health sector problems should be discussed and solved while
giving utmost priority to patients care.
President Rajapaksa said the Health Ministry is only second to the
Defence Ministry in terms of budgetary allocation and Sri Lanka may
perhaps be the only country where free health service and education
still exist.
The Government recruited work force ranging from doctors to minor
employees to the health sector to provide more expedited and streamlined
service to patients.
The President stressed that the Government’s duty is to protect and
promote the free health service.
President Rajapaksa said people are living in a society which is
facing unprecedented development. They have adopted various new food
which may sometimes be harmful to their health.
He said health authorities should look into the diseases that arise
as a result of various new food items and chemical substances.
He said the Maharagama Cancer Institute which was established in 1958
caters to over 10,000 - 15,000 patients islandwide.
Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena, Deputy Minister Mahinda
Amaraweera, Ministry Secretary Ravi Ruberu, Cancer Institute Director
General Dr. Sulochana Yoganandan, former Director Dr. Kanishka
Karunaratne and Rhino Roofing Sheet Company Board of Directors were
present.
He said hospitals are not for doctors, nurses or minor employees but
are for patients care. |
