Addressing the function, the President said the state has made financial provisions to uplift the health sector and allocated 100 billion rupees by 2012. The state three months ago has also approved a supplementary allocation to purchase essential drugs, he added.

Of the employees appointed, 4,000 were casual and temporary employees that were confirmed permanent. Another 1,000 were recruited newly as paramedics.

The Health Ministry also has recruited 70 pharmacists, 24 physiotherapists, 6 professional therapists, 24 medical laboratory technicians, 438 family health officers and 54 trainee family health officers, according to the Health Minister Maithreepala Sirisena.