Minister Silva finds many shortcomings in hospitals

Public Relations and Public Affairs Minister Mervyn Silva, acting on the instructions of Economic Development Minister Basil Rajapaksa given over the telephone, paid a visit to the Kiribathgoda Hospital during an inspection tour on Tuesday to look into its urgent problems and shortcomings.

The minister, accompanied by Kelaniya Pradeshiya Sabha members Hasitha Medawala and N P Rohitha, found that both male and female wards lacked proper toilets as the existing toilets were in a dilapidated condition unfit for use. The minister and team found the drainage system severely clogged and the Accident Ward half completed.

Furthermore, 12 existing vacancies in the hospital cadre had not been filled. Minister Silva who summoned Hospital Director Dr Harshana Silva, directed him to remedy the shortcomings without delay with the help of the relevant parties.

On Wednesday, Minister Silva visited the Kiribathgoda Ayurveda Hospital on an inspection tour accompanied by Pradeshiya Sabha members Hasitha Madewala and N P Rohitha, took steps to remedy its shortcomings.

The minister requested the Western Provincial Council’s Health Minister Jagath Angage, to ensure that the hospital roof which was in a dilapidated condition be repaired immediately and Minister Angage informed Minister Silva that he too had directed the Biyagama Divisional Engineer to attend to the matter immediately.

Minister Silva also found the hot water pipeline system and the steam bath and steam box inoperative and informed the relevant authorities to get them repaired immediately and fill existing vacancies in the hospital cadre as well.

The minister said he was able to attend to these shortcomings due to the guidance offered by Gampaha District Leader Minister Basil Rajapaksa.

He said that if other districts too had leaders of Minister Basil Rajapaksa’s calibre, Sri Lanka could accelerate its march towards development under the Mahinda Chinthanaya policies without any problem.