Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena after an inspection tour of the laboratories at the National Hospital in Colombo instructed Health Services Director General Dr. Ajith Mendis to issue the relevant circular to all government medical institutions within the next few days.

Minister Sirisena said hospital laboratory staff referred patients to private medical institutions for specimen urine and blood tests and even X ray reports despite the availability of facilities at government hospitals.

“Minister Sirisena is constantly receiving complaints from patients that hospital laboratory technicians refer them to private healthcare institutions and laboratories which charge exorbitant prices,” health ministry spokesman W.M.D.Wanninayaka said.
He said investigations by the ministry also revealed that laboratory technicians were colluding with private medical laboratories and were on their pay role with a commission due to the referral of patients.

He said most public sector laboratory technicians also work part time at private laboratories and several such employees had been pulled up for engaging in private work during duty hours.

Mr. Wanninayaka said Minister Sirisena had called for a report from DGHS, Dr. Mendis on the facilities at hospital medical laboratories within two weeks and also instructed to equip them with equipment, drugs and chemicals.