Lanka Hospitals to target medical tourism

Indunil HEWAGE

CEO Lakith Peiris

Sri Lanka’s private healthcare industry grew by 23 percent last year and the country has huge potential to develop medical tourism in the country.

Lanka Hospitals Chief Executive Officer Lakith Peiris said during last year, private healthcare industry grew by 23 percent. Lanka Hospitals recorded highest profit ability at the first quarter this year. Plans are also being made to increase the hospital capacity this year. He said with the dawn of peace, Sri Lanka is considered as a preferred destination for tourism.

Their objective is to promote medical travel with the assistance of the Tourism Ministry and other relevant authorities. The Hospital is also focusing on expansion outside Colombo to take affordable medical care facility to people in outstations. They are in the process of identifying suitable areas for that.

Nursing School of Lanka Hospitals is planning to offer BSc nursing degree for nurses. Para medical training will also be provided. Three batches comprising nurses in Maldives have undergone training at the nursing school before their final examination in Maldives. This school was the first to be approved by the Lanka Medical Council. Currently, it is conducting a three-year diploma course for nurses equal to the nursing curriculum in Government nursing schools.

Peris said there is a great demand for consultants in the country and most private hospitals depend on government hospitals for that.