JICA help for health sector

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) will provide Rs 4 billion to the Health Ministry to upgrade Sri Lanka's health sector. The development project will be implemented from 2012 to 2014.

The ministry will spend Rs one billion from this fund to strengthen the drug production capacity of the State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation (SPMC), a Health Ministry Spokesman said.

He said the ministry will give priority to increase local drug production as a remedy to drug shortages in state hospitals.

"The SPMC produces 52 varieties of drugs. Importing drugs from foreign companies has caused problems such as delays in supplying drugs, quality failure in imported drugs and shortage of some drugs," he said.

Funds will also be utilized to set up two cardiac catheterization units at the Colombo National Hospital.

Four rural hospitals, Galgamuwa, Teldeniya, Kalawanchikudi and Warakapola will also be upgraded, the spokesman said.

Beliatta Hospital will also be upgraded to a Maternal and Children's Hospital while the Moneragala Hospital will also be modernized. Medical equipment will also be provided to base hospitals of Hambantota, Tissamaharama and Karawanella.

Selected hospitals will be given medical equipment. Around 124 ambulances will be given to rural hospitals, he said.