A massive development program worth Rs. 11,000 million is underway at the Badulla Teaching Hospital, Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni announced today during the hospital’s management committee meeting.

The initiative aims to strengthen patient care services, expand human and physical resources, resolve pressing issues, and accelerate ongoing projects. 

The meeting was the 11th in a series of district‑level hospital management committee sessions held across the island to ensure planned and rapid development of health services.

Deputy Minister Wijemuni noted that while hospital development is progressing nationwide, the absence of a structured program for resource development in the past has created imbalances. 

He stressed the importance of planned expansion to deliver qualitative, efficient, and uninterrupted healthcare to the public.

During the meeting, the Hospital Director outlined key needs, including staffing issues and cadre shortages, construction of the Professorial Unit and Accident & Emergency Unit, installation of a LINAC machine at the cancer unit, expansion of Cath Lab facilities, procurement of medical and laboratory equipment, and land acquisition for future expansion.

Officials confirmed that recruitment is underway to fill human resource gaps, with additional specialist doctors, nurses, and health staff being appointed beyond approved numbers. Approval of staff for new units was also discussed.

Radiotherapy services are being expanded with the installation of a Triple Energy LINAC machine, while plans are in place to replace the expired Cobalt‑60 machine with a Single Energy LINAC. The Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory (Cath Lab) project is nearing readiness, with urgent steps being taken for customs clearance, equipment installation, power supply, and staffing.

The need for official residences for specialist doctors and medical officers was also highlighted, with a planned program already in motion.

Badulla Teaching Hospital, the premier tertiary‑level health institution in Uva Province, sits on a 9‑acre site with 1,562 beds, 43 wards, 65 specialized units, and 12 operating theatres across four complexes. Each year, about 592,000 patients attend clinics, while 371,000 receive treatment through the outpatient department. (Newswire)

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Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children has a total of 2,712 children on its surgical waiting list, Health Deputy Minister Hansaka Wijemuni revealed in Parliament.

He revealed the figures in response to a question raised by MP Rohini Wijerathne.

Accordingly, 1,025 children are awaiting cardiothoracic surgeries, while 593 are listed for general surgery. In addition, 388 children require eye surgeries, 266 are awaiting ENT procedures, and 240 are on the list for plastic surgery.

The Deputy Minister further stated that 133 children are awaiting spinal surgeries, 48 require orthopaedic procedures, and 19 are pending neurosurgery.

The total number of children on the waiting list stands at 2,712. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka’s main Cancer Early Detection Centre has been relocated to new premises today, with plans to expand such facilities to every district in the future, Deputy Health Minister Hansaka Wijemuni announced. 

He noted that six centres are already operating at major hospitals, and the new unit was opened at the Outpatients Department building of the National Hospital in Colombo.

The centre focuses on detecting breast, cervical, and oral cancers, with patients referred for specialized treatment immediately after diagnosis. Established in 2004 with Rotary support, the centre has screened nearly one million people over 22 years, identifying 104 new cancer patients last year alone. Equipped with modern facilities, it operates on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Deputy Minister Wijemuni emphasized that cancer has become a major health challenge in Sri Lanka, with around 100 new cases reported daily and 40 deaths each day. He stressed the importance of prevention, highlighting risks from diet, environmental factors, and chemical use, and called for inter-ministerial solutions. He also thanked Rotary for its continued support.

Currently, similar centres function in Jaffna, Batticaloa, Badulla, Ratnapura, and Matara. Oral cancer is the most common among men, largely due to betel chewing, smoking, and alcohol, with 10 new cases and 3 deaths reported daily. 

Cervical cancer remains prevalent among women, preventable through HPV vaccination, safe sexual practices, and regular Pap tests. Breast cancer affects 15 women daily, with 3 deaths, but early detection can ensure full recovery.

The inauguration was attended by WHO Representative Dr. Rajesh Sambhajirao Pandav, senior officials of the Health Ministry and National Hospital, directors of the National Cancer Control Programme, medical specialists, and Rotary leaders, underscoring the centre’s role as a key hub in Sri Lanka’s cancer care system. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Health, Hansaka Wijemuni, recently conducted a surprise inspection of the Inbound Health Assessment Centre (IHAP) in Borella, which assesses the health status of foreign migrants arriving in Sri Lanka. 

According to the Health Ministry, the centre operates in coordination with the Ministry of Health’s Quarantine Unit and the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and functions under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an international migration agency active in Sri Lanka.

The IOM provides technical assistance to the Sri Lankan government on a wide range of migrationrelated issues, including the control of diseases that may pose a risk of spread within the country, and supports activities aligned with the Ministry of Health’s policies and vision. 

The IHAP conducts medical examinations for foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka (excluding those on tourist visas) before visas are issued, focusing on diseases approved by the Ministry of Health. During the inspection, the deputy minister reviewed how these services are currently delivered, as well as the centre’s future plans, challenges and operational issues. 

At present, the centre conducts approved tests for tuberculosis, leprosy, malaria and AIDS. Officials said the facility examines around 100 foreigners a day and confirmed that, over the past five years, it has screened about 103,618 foreigners who came to Sri Lanka to obtain long-term visas. 

The inspection also revealed that, among the two diseases said to have been eliminated in Sri Lanka, leprosy and malaria, more than 2,000 leprosy cases had been detected through screening. Malaria cases have also been identified and referred to the relevant authorities. Officials further informed the deputy minister that more than 100 AIDS cases and more than 80 tuberculosis cases had been identified and referred for treatment. 

Following the inspection, the deputy minister held a discussion with IHAP officials, who highlighted the weak coordination of the institute at present with the Ministry of Health’s relevant institutions, the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They said this had made it difficult to ensure that all foreigners obtaining long-term visas are screened to date. 

Officials also noted the need to put in place arrangements for the Ministry of Health to fully carry out the centre’s operational functions. They said one of the main challenges for staff is completing all disease screening within two hours for each foreign national. They also raised financial concerns, noting that a significant portion of the fees collected is spent on operations, and said greater attention should be paid to financial management. 

During the discussion, the deputy minister also considered proposals that the centre should, in future, contribute not only to screening foreigners but also to examining the health of Sri Lankans returning from overseas after living or working abroad. 

Officials also proposed expanding the facility’s role to include preparing health travel guidance for Sri Lankans migrating overseas and strengthening travel physician services to provide decisions and information on health conditions before foreigners travel to Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni announced that investigations are underway into a batch of the anaesthesia‑related drug Ondansetron, following reports of two deaths that raised concerns about its safety.

Speaking at a media briefing at the Kandy District Secretariat yesterday (16), Wijemuni explained that Ondansetron is routinely administered to prevent side effects during anaesthesia.

He noted that millions of doses have been imported and used since April, with no adverse reactions reported until November.

According to the Deputy Minister, five patients at Jayewardenepura Hospital reported minor side effects last month. The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA) reviewed the cases and concluded that the drug could continue to be administered, while recommending vigilance and further testing.

However, on November 12, a patient’s death prompted suspicion about the drug’s impact. A doctor at Kandy National Hospital had already conducted a lab test on the drug and released data by that time. Based on this information, the NMRA ordered hospitals nationwide to immediately halt use of the specific batch in question.

A second death was reported on November 14, with evidence suggesting the patient had also received Ondansetron. Wijemuni confirmed that both cases are under investigation to determine whether the fatalities were linked to the drug or to underlying illness.

He added that the inquiry will examine whether harmful substances were present in the samples or if a manufacturing defect was responsible. 

The problematic batch has since been withdrawn from both government and private hospitals, with instructions issued to source supplies from other importers, the Deputy Health Minister said. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni has announced that the government is preparing to introduce a special health package for all citizens above the age of 35.

Speaking on the initiative, the Deputy Minister said the package will help identify illnesses at an early stage, noting that many patients end up hospitalized due to a lack of awareness, despite having conditions that are treatable.

He added that the program would also reduce the state’s financial burden by minimizing treatment costs. Hansaka Wijemuni expressed confidence that allocations will be included in the upcoming budget.

The Deputy Minister further said that ensuring free medical care for all patients remains the government’s responsibility, and revealed that efforts are also underway to provide health insurance for journalists in the forthcoming budget. (Newswire)

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Deputy Minister of Health Hansaka Wijemuni says price regulations will be introduced in the future for medicines imported through private pharmacies.

Deputy Minister Wijemuni said that this step is being taken with the aim of strengthening the government’s drug procurement process.

He pointed out that although there is a Price Regulation Committee to regulate the prices of medicines imported by the private sector, no effective action has been taken through it.

The Deputy Minister of Health further said that a new legal framework for this purpose has already been submitted to the Attorney General. (Newswire)

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The Government is spending a total of Rs. 800 million annually to address the issue of stray dogs, including vaccination and sterilisation programmes, Deputy Health Minister, Hansaka Wijemuni, said in Parliament today. 

Providing a cost breakdown, the Deputy Minister said Sri Lanka is spending Rs. 280 million to provide medicines for persons attacked by rabies-infected stray dogs.

He said that Rs. 180 million was spent on vaccinating animals, adding that the programme needs to be systematised.

Noting that Rs. 200 million was being spent to sterilise animals, Hansaka Wijemuni said, however, the ministry needs to review the outcome, as it does not seem to have reduced the animal population.  

The Deputy Minister of Health further said Sri Lanka reports between  20-30 deaths due to rabies per year.

“20 years ago, Sri Lanka reported nearly 300 rabies-related deaths. In countries such as Thailand and Latin America, it has been reduced to 1 to 2 deaths or zero cases per year. These countries have achieved this through animal control and a vaccination programme,” he explained. 

The Deputy Minister added that the priority of the Health Ministry regarding stray dogs is to treat rabies. (Newswire)

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