Easy access to state buildings

Nadira Gunatilleke

The country's elders, pregnant mothers, disabled, sick and blind account for 25 percent of the total population. All of them need easy access to buildings, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman the Ministry will take the lead soon by providing easy access at all State owned health institutions considering the requirements of people belong to above five categories.

This will ensure the implementation of a court order given recently in connection with constructing of new buildings with access facilities for disabled persons.

Several programmes will be held this week under the direction of Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to provide easy access for state health institutions with the assistance of Diriya Padanama, he said. It is compulsory to construct all new buildings with easy access facilities for the disabled.

But some other categories such as elders, pregnant women, blind persons and persons who are sick or recovering from surgery also need the same facility.

Therefore the Ministry will take action to give them easy access for State health institutions, he added.