The Ministry of Health is considering introducing more paying wards at state-owned hospitals with an aim to sustain the health service amidst the current economic crisis and expenditure cuts.
Speaking to Economy Next, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said the Health Ministry is considering introducing 30 percent of paying wards.
“This is not only for cost recovery, but we can give better service than any of the private sector. If people see better service for half of the cost with a room, they will go for paying wards,” he said.
Stating that he is exploring the possibility of a separate shift basis in state hospitals, Minister Rambukwella said it will be implemented for both free and paid wards.
“I am also trying to keep 8 am to 4 pm for free health services. Then 4 pm to the next day 6 am,” he revealed.
The Health Minister pointed out that the paying wards system will reduce the waiting queues for surgeries to six months instead of 2 years, adding that the proposed paying ward system is yet to be proposed to the Cabinet of Ministers.
The paying ward concept is already in practice at the Colombo National and Sri Jayawardenapura Hospitals.
The move is being considered as Sri Lanka’s free health service is facing threats of cost-cutting and reduced services due to the economic crisis. Several state hospitals are also facing a scarcity of medicines as a result. (NewsWire)