Sri Lanka has signed an agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to borrow 100 million US dollars to develop the health sector.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the agreement was signed by Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Harshana Suriyapperuma, for Sri Lanka and the Country Director for the Asian Development Bank, Takafumi Kadono. 

The loan is given from ADB’s Ordinary Capital Resources window and will support the national strategic framework for the development of health services for improved efficiency and quality of secondary health services as first referral care for ensuring universal health coverage. 

The Ministry further stated that the package also includes an externally financed grant amounting to 6.9 million dollars from the Pandemic Fund, provided under Result-based Lending. (Newswire)

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Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa says future donations for the health sector will have to align with the government’s national plan. 

Addressing an event yesterday, Minister Jayatissa said the government intends to streamline donations received from various local philanthropists and foreign companies, to utilize it systematically.

“We intend to systematically use the donations. Going forward, donations will not be accepted for political or personal needs. Even though donations are made with good intentions, it becomes a burden for the government after a few years,” he said. 

The Health Minister said donations will be accepted only by taking into consideration their alignment with the government’s policies and purpose for the next 20 years.

“As we see now, buildings have been built using donations in some places. Then protests are held if they don’t have sufficient doctors and equipment. Politicians will have dreams to improve their area hospitals to the standards of a general hospital,” he said. 

Minister Jayatissa said, however, going forward, such donations will only be allowed after considering how well they fit the government’s National Policy.

He pointed out that the Health Ministry was an entity that receives funds as and when requested by any government and that the Treasury allocates large sums of money regularly.

The Health Minister said that the highest allocation for the Health Ministry in the history of Sri Lanka has been made in the budget for this year.

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa made the comments while attending the opening of the first Paediatric Blood & Marrow Transplant Unit for children with cancer in a government hospital.

Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), with financial support from the Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Dewalaya, completed the establishment of the Unit, which was inaugurated at Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama. (Newswire) 

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At least 72 health sector trade unions, except doctors, are to launch a strike tomorrow (Feb 13).

According to the trade unions, the strike will be launched from 6.30 am on Tuesday. 

The decision to launch a strike has been taken after a discussion with the Ministry of Finance held today had failed.

A discussion was held between the Finance Ministry and Trade Unions, on the latter’s demand for the Disturbance, Availability & Transport (DAT) allowance provided to doctors to be granted to healthcare workers as well.

In January this year, the Cabinet approved the President’s proposal to double the DAT allowance for doctors only, raising it from Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 70,000.

Following the decision, health sector trade unions demanded that the allowance be provided to them as well, threatening to resort to Trade Union action. (NewsWire)

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Japan has decided to provide humanitarian grant assistance of USD 46 million to Sri Lanka, the Japanese Embassy in Colombo announced on Wednesday (22).

The Japanese Embassy stated that the grant assistance is being offered to provide fuel for all public hospitals, ambulances, and medical transport vehicles in Sri Lanka.

The Embassy further stated that Japan’s total grant assistance to Sri Lanka for the year 2022 amounts to USD 104 million, the highest grant in its history. (NewsWire)

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The Japanese government has agreed to provide USD 38 million to Sri Lanka for the purchase of fuel, mainly Diesel, in order to carry out uninterrupted essential and emergency health services in Sri Lanka.

Cabinet spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena told the media today that the funds are being provided under the economic and social development programme of Japan.

He further said that thereby, a proposal has been submitted by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, to make necessary arrangements to sign the agreement with the Japanese Government in this regard.

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted its approval to the proposal submitted by the President on the agreement to be drawn to obtain funds from the Government of Japan. (NewsWire)

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