The Covid Task Force has made arrangements to facilitate coronavirus patients who wish to be treated at private hospitals, Army Commander Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said.
The Head of the Covid Task Force said discussions were held on obtaining the services of private hospitals after taking into consideration the prevailing coronavirus situation in the country.
Speaking to Ada Derana, the Army Commander said apart from all Government hospitals, Military quarantine centres were also converted into treatment facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Out of the over 8000 Covid patients detected in the country nearly 65% are admitted to hospital. A number of intermediary treatment facilities are those that were initially operated as quarantine centres.
Lt. Gen. Silva said a number of Covid patients insist on receiving treatment at private hospitals, as they are not used to the washroom facility and other services of the General hospital, while they also prefer being treated in private rooms.
President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the Covid Task Force to study the matter and take necessary measures in this regard.
The Army Commander said several discussions were held on the matter, including a meeting with private hospital representatives last week.
Among several private hospitals in Colombo that were reached out to, Nawaloka and Lanka Hospitals have consented to provide their assistance in operating Covid treatment facilities.
As a result, steps are being taken to introduce a system to convert hotels into Covid treatment facilities operated under these private hospitals.
Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva said these treatment facilities are being established to largely treat asymptomatic patients. (NewsWire)