Don't castigate PCs:

'Bring in stringent legislation'

Hidogama Group Corr

Vacancies exist for 150 doctors, 300 nurses, 70 Family Health Workers and 70 PHIs in the NCP, said Provincial Minister of Health, Indigenous Medicine, Probation, Sports and Youth Affairs Peshala Jayaratne.

He disclosed this at a press conference held at Polonnaruwa on Saturday (April 16).

The Minister said that it was wrong to castigate Provincial Councils as white elephants.

What needs to be done is to bring in stri- ngent legislation to curb corruption waste and mismanagement in the councils.

He said a large slice of funds attached to certain provincial departments and institutions, had to be returned to the Treasury, due to the failure to utilise them profitably.

This trend should be stopped and each department and institution should make determined efforts to utilise funds in full for the benefit and welfare of the people before the end of each year.

He said that henceforth, approval should be obtained from his Ministry to conduct health camps in the province.

A draft provincial health department had been formulated for approval soon.

There had been complaints of certain private sector medical laboratories providing inco- rrect medical reports to patients who seek their services.

Private sector laboratory technicians and pharmacists would require to undergo training under the Provincial Ministry.

This was being done to streamline private sector medical services rather than to harass them.

The Ministry intention is to instil public confidence in private sector medical institutions too.