State to intervene on behalf of private hospital patients

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The Health Ministry will bring amendments to the Private Medical Registration Institutions (Registration) Act no 21 of 2006 and strengthen it to intervene when complaints are received from the public about irregularities by private hospitals and medical institutions, a ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman, the main objective of strictly implementing the Act is to ensure that the public receive the best service from private hospitals and medical institutions and intervening to get justice done when the public face problems while obtaining medical consultation and treatment from such institutions.

"This year's awareness and educational campaigns will be carried out to educate the public on their rights and obligations," he said.

Some private hospitals do not pay back the hospital fee when a doctor cancels his or her appointments.

The private hospitals only pay the doctor's fee to the patient. The Private Health Services Regulatory Council will intervene in such instances, if a complain is made, and get their money back.

The same procedure is to be followed when private hospitals or medical institutions charge an excessive amounts for drugs, he said.

Meanwhile, the spokesman also said around 10 more investors have forwarded applications to commence new private hospitals in Sri Lanka.

"The private health sector in Sri Lanka is to be further upgraded under the Health Ministry's 2012 private health sector development plan," he said.