Moves to modernize upcountry hospitals

Livestock and Rural Community Development Minister Arumugam Thondaman has forwarded a proposal to the government to modernize upcountry hospitals on which the plantation population are completely depended.

Most of the hospitals in the upcountry have been built during British colonial times and since then they have not been expanded or rehabilitated to suit present needs.

During the National Health Week, the minister visited all hospitals in the upcountry and met authorities, nurses and the public at the Glanken Hospital.

"Today, the number of patients has increased. Patients and pregnant mothers have to go in search of good hospitals.

"Due to the increase of patients, space in hospitals is not sufficient and unable to accommodate many people.

"Therefore, patients are facing a lot of problems," the minister said.

The Indian government has also offered assistance to programmes that have been undertaken to upgrade the lives of the upcountry community.

Now, the Indian government is constructing hospitals speedily with modern technology and facilities in Nuwara Eliya and other places where there is a large population.

These hospitals are similar to Sri Jayewardenapura hospital which has all modern facilities.