Health Ministry spends Rs.4,000 per day one in-house patient

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry spends Rs. 37 million annually, just for salaries, and Rs. 4,000 is spent on one in-house patient per day. This amount increases to Rs. 10,000 per patient in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This is in addition to the cost of drugs. This is done in order to realise the objectives of a free health service in Sri Lanka, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

The Minister was speaking at a ceremony to present internship appointment letters to 250 medical graduates.

Minister Sirisena said even though the Government spends large amounts of money on the free health service,some medical professionals tarnish their own image, honour and dignity by involving in various illegal acts.

It’s the politicians who first destroyed their own reputation and then comes medical professionals.

There have been media reports in the past about the misconduct of medical personnel and allegations of abuse,rape and murder of female patients,such as, the Negombo incident. Minister Sirisena alleged that some doctors only smile at the patient if he or she is a Cabinet inister. It’s a person’s reputation, honour and dignity which matters more than anything else.

“The entire world including the WHO,International organizations,and other nations accept the fact that Sri Lanka has one of the world’s best health services,’ he said.