Record health budget next year

* Year of Revival for the health sector
* Priority to upgrade regional state hospitals

Nadira GUNATILLEKE

The largest ever health budget in Sri Lanka of over Rs 100 billion will be allocated for 2012. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has had discussions with President Mahinda Rajapaksa in this regard, Health Ministry sources said.
According to these sources, next year will be the ‘Year of Revival’ for the health sector in Sri Lanka.

The Health Ministry will give priority to upgrade all regional state hospitals next year. Human resources, advanced technology and modern medical equipment will be provided to these hospitals under this programme, the sources said.

“No shortages of human resources or shortages of any other resources will be reported from regional hospitals from next year. Regional hospitals serve a large number of people living in outstations in the country. They are unable to travel to Colombo due to various reasons including a lack of knowledge, financial and transport problems etc,” he said.

This year’s National Health Budget was Rs.92 billion and it was Rs. 74 billion in 2010.

In 2009 the National Health Budget was Rs. 64 billion.

In 2011 the budget increased with the increased drug requirement (by 34 per cent) which occurred due to extended OPD hours. All main state hospital OPDs are now open up to 8.00 pm under the direction of President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/09/02/news01.asp