'President helped health sector reach high levels'

Ishara MUDUGAMUWA

Under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Sri Lanka's health sector has reached the highest level, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said. "Every year the President allocates a large amount of money for the health sector from the budget and Rs. 100 billion had been allocated this year. Sri Lanka's health sector has also been fortunate to receive a large amounts of foreign funds as donations as well as loans," he said.

The minister also said that the Netherlands government had provided Rs. 13 billion for the modernization of Hambantota and Nuwara Eliya hospitals.

The Hambantota hospital would be developed with 750 new beds, while the Nuwara Eliya hospital would be modernized with new buildings and 800 beds. "Constructions on the Jaffna Teaching Hospital will be completed in the near future at a cost of Rs. 2,900 million.

JICA construction of the Hatton hospital, an Indian funded project, would also be completed in the near future, the minister said.

He further said that the country's health sector was presently in a good position due to the dedication of the health sector employees, while doctors were considered the most valuable in the health sector.

Nearly 2,141 new doctor have been appointed during the past two years, while 15 percent of them had been dispatched to the Northern province.

The ministry has given priority to develop the health facilities in the Northern province.