I consider it my responsibility to preserve the free health service and safeguard the right of every citizen for the benefits there under. In this regard, immediate action will be taken to enhance these services both qualitatively and quantitatively through increased budgetary provisions, stated President Mahinda Rajapaksa in ‘Mahinda Chintana’, his manifesto to develop the country.

In keeping with pledge, the Government has taken several actions in the past four years to fulfil the healthcare needs of the people, by upgrading health facilities in Sri Lanka. Re-constructing and upgrading hospitals by the Government, in a number of areas is a key aspect of this policy.

Within the last four years, the Government re-constructed a number of hospitals which were destroyed due to terrorism and tsunami. It also took action to upgrade hospitals in many parts of the country.

Kilinochchi District Hospital

Kilinochchi District Hospital which was badly damaged by terrorism was renovated and re-opened to the public by the Government.

It was reequipped under the Vaddikin Vasantham (Uthuru Wasanthaya) Rehabilitation and Resettlement programme of the North, implemented by the Presidential Special Task.

The hospital received a maternity ward, OPD, dental clinic, a unit for wound dressing and an Anti-Malaria Campaign Unit under this renovation.


Jaffna Hospital

A Rs.2, 000 million project is underway to improve the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

Under this project, a new 3-storey complex will house the administrative unit and the wards for patients. Central facilities for diagnostic imaging will be on the ground floor. It will comprise 4 rooms for X-rays, 4 Radiology rooms, a Dental X-ray Unit, Mammography Unit and Endoscope, CT Scanning, ECG, EEG, and Ultra Sound Units.

The Operating Theatre complex with 8 Operating rooms and Recovery Rooms will be housed on the 2nd floor, which will also have a 20-bed Intensive Care Unit, Central Laboratory, Hematology, Bio-Chemistry and Micro Biology Units.

The project is due to be completed by the end of 2010. It is funded by the Japanese government.


Ayurvedic hospital in Jaffna

The Ministry of Indigenous medicine has taken steps to develop the Ayurvedic Teaching Hospital in Kaithadi in Jaffna with new facilities to encourage the farmer community in Jaffna to grow indigenous medicinal plants.

This will promote the use of herbal medicines for illnesses, giving the farmers in Jaffna an additional source of income.

Anuradhapura Hospital

The Government has taken action to develop the facilities in Anuradhapura hospital to meet the health needs of 1.1 million people in the area. Rs.3125. 5 million was allocated by the Government for this task in 2008. The Japanese Government agreed to provide a further Rs.1250 million to improve the hospital’s healthcare service and to purchase medical equipment.

The project expects to develop are the Out Patients’ Department, Dental Unit, Maternal and Paediatric Unit, Cancer Prevention Services, water supplement, health and other sanitary facilities in the hospital. It will also supply necessary laboratory equipment.

The project is expected to be completed in 2010.



Hambantota Hospital

Nearly 500,000 people, who needed health care services in the Hambantota hospital, hither to faced many difficulties due to the dilapidated condition of the hospital.

The President drew attention to this issue and initiated the launch of a mega project for the modernization of the hospital.

It is to be made a fully fledged hospital which will comprise an OPD Unit, a ward complex, an ICU, surgical theatres and emergency treatment units. Storage, water and sanitary facilities are also to be improved.

The refurbishment is taking place with grants from the Hungarian Government as well as local contributions. Reconstruction has already entered the final phase. The project will be completed by 2011 at a cost of Rs.8450 million.



Kurunegala Hospital

The Kurunegala Teaching Hospital is being developed at a cost of Rs.1723 million. The project has commenced through Government funds as well assistance from Austria.

Under this development initiative the hospital will get new units having complexes of maternity wards, cancer wards and cardiology wards. An Accident Ward and Emergency Treatment ward will also be established.

The Hospital will also get 6 more surgical units and X-ray, health and sanitary facilities will be expanded.

Godagama Hospital

The construction of the biggest hospital of the Southern Province has commenced in Godagama in Galle District.

The Government allocated Rs.550 million and the Korean Government provided Rs.660 million for this construction.

An Out Patients’ Department, Intensive Care Units, Diagnostic Services, Public Health Units, Medicine stores and Quarters for the doctors and the other staff will be established under this project.

The project is due to complete in 2010.


Renal Care Hospital - Maligawatte

The Renal Care Hospital and Research Centre at Maligawatte, Colombo, was recently opened for the benefit of kidney patients.

The hospital was built at a cost of Rs.450 million.

President Rajapaksa, who discussed issues relating to the spread of kidney ailments, instructed the immediate opening of this important healthcare facility, and its full equipment.
 

Triple Service Center for Epilepsy

The Government has taken action to establish a service center for epilepsy with modern facilities attached to the Colombo National Hospital to provide necessary service to nearly 30, 000 patients in Sri Lanka.

Earlier, the country didn’t have enough facilities such as well trained staff and necessary equipments to serve epilepsy affected people.

The Government’s allocation for this task is Rs.550 million and Saudi Arabia provides Rs.2200 million. The project is expected to be completed by 2011.

Thus it is evident that the Government with its leadership and vision of President Mahinda Rajapaksa has paid great attention towards providing a quality health care service to the people. The Government has achieved many goals in this regard during past four years.