CPC to boost health sector

Indika Polkotuwa

A consignment of medical equipment valued over Rs 500 million will be distributed among provincial hospitals in the Central Province, said Provincial Health and Indigenous Medicine Minister Sunil Kithsiri.

He said this presenting his Ministry's appropriation bill to the Central Provincial Council at its meeting recently.

Appropriation bills of two Provincial Ministries were presented at the meeting presided by deputy chairman W M Yasamanna.

Sunil Kithsiri said it has been planned to upgrade Out Patients Departments in all hospitals and develop a selected district hospital in each Divisional Secretariat division under the programme.

Although a staff of 2,036 had been approved for the 177 hospitals in the province, there were only 1,606 employees attached to them. Steps are being taken to fill these vacancies. Opposition UNP leader K K Piyadasa said the Indigenous Medical Sector in the province is providing a satisfactory service. He would purpose the setting up of herbal gardens in each DS division to bolster the service, he said.

UNP member Murali Rasunathan said the ministry should pay special attention to the plantation sector and try to combat illegal abortions.

Gunathilaka Rajapaksa and several others also spoke.