By Dilanthi Jayamanne
The Sri Lanka Society for Medical Laboratory Science (SLSMLS) urged the administration of the Colombo National Hospital (NHSL) to implement the circular issued by the Health Ministry on out sourcing laboratory tests.
President of the SLSMLS, Ravi Kumudesh said yesterday that the circular had been issued by the Health Ministry over a month ago instructing lab tests to be carried out at the NHSL.
Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena visited the NHSL laboratory facility over three months ago and issued instructions that the hospital refrain from outsourcing medical tests to the private sector.
However, the situation continues due to the need of a solid plan. He said the administration should carry out an analysis on the tests that could be carried out, the resources available to carry them out, and what tests should be directed to the private sector owing to the need of resources.
The findings should be discussed with the Health Ministry and the two parties have yet to reach an agreement, he said. The Ministry and the NHSL should also decide which private sector lab institutions should carry out the tests rather than inconveniencing patients. Kumudesh said the hospital should finance the tests rather than placing the burden on the patient.
As it is, patients are of the opinion that the doctors, the lab staff and other staff members of the hospital have an understanding with certain private sector laboratory institutions regarding outsourcing medical tests. However, if a method is formulated this situation too could be reversed. The situation could be explained to the patient and he/she could be directed to the private laboratory which has been decided on by the Ministry and the NHSL authorities, Kumudesh added.
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=38231
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