Government allocates Rs. 45 billion to complete stalled hospital projects

The Government has allocated Rs. 45 billion to restart and complete hospital construction projects that were suspended midway, Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said.

Speaking at an event, Jayatissa said work was already under way to resume the projects, which are expected to be completed within the next two years.

He said the Government was seeking to use public funds more efficiently while identifying and addressing priority needs in the health sector.

Measures are also being taken to strengthen hospital services by providing essential modern medical equipment.

Under the programme, 16 state-of-the-art cardiac catheterisation laboratories will be supplied to major hospitals at a cost of Rs. 3.15 billion.

The Government also plans to provide hospitals with modern CT and MRI scanners, Jayatissa said.

He added that preparations were under way to assess the health sector’s medical equipment requirements for next year as part of efforts to improve treatment facilities across the country.