Billing system at government hospitals from next year

Ridma Dissanayake

All measures have been made to initiate a billing system at government hospitals from next year to show patients the cost incurred by the government, when providing free health care facilities for the public,Health Minister Maitripala Sirisena said.

According to the minister this billing system will initially commence at Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital, Maharagama Cancer Hospital, and the kidney hospitals in Kandy and Anuradhapura.

The minister was addressing the International Radiation Day celebrations organized by the Sri Lanka Radiation Specialist Doctors

Association held at the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute (SLFI),recently.

"The government will launch a special three year programme to develop 1,000 hospitals island wide from the next year," he said.

"We have spent around Rs.120 billion for the development of the health sector along with the support of other organizations this year."

"However, the public is not aware of how much the government spends for the health of the people. We have therefore, decided to initiate a billing system to make the people aware about the costs borne by the government to provide treatment for them,"the minister said.

"This is not an effort to do away with the country's free health service. The government will never do away the free health service and free education system in Sri Lanka, but is taking concrete measures to to strengthen them, Minister Sirisena further stated.

Health Ministry Secretary Dr.Nihal Jayathilake and Additional Secretary Dr.Palitha Maheepala were also present.