NCP hospitals short of doctors

Nimal WIJESINGHE- Anuradhapura Additional District group correspondent

North Central Provincial Health Minister Peshala Jayarathne has urged the Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to intervene in solving the acute shortage of doctors and nursing staff in the North Central Province which has badly affected rural hospitals.

This situation has caused the closure of six rural hospitals including Thittagonewa and Mahasenpura hospitals. There is a dearth of around 175 doctors in the Province.

"I have requested the Health Minister to arrange the services of internship doctors at the Rajarata University medical faculty," Jayarathne said.

He added that more attention has to be given to the prevention of renal diseases which have been on the rise in certain areas of the province. The establishment of modern medical and health facilities at rural hospitals including official quarters equipped with basic living facilities for doctors and other employees are also needed, he said.

He said that there would be a regularization programme to govern all medical institutes and medical practitioners in the private sector.

Stern action would be taken in dealing with bogus doctors, unlawful medical institutes, unlicensed pharmacies and unqualified employees.

"I have proposed a Provincial Health Services statute to invigorate the present provincial medical services structure. The regulations and criteria introduced in the proposed statute would help us minimize malpractices and waste, and to offer a satisfactory medical service to the public," Jayarathne said.

"We have started Suwa Sahana societies in every hospital in the province which coordinate the health education, and promotion and protection programmes on a voluntary basis.

"Under the proposed statute these societies would be empowered to do more work," the Provincial Minister added.