The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has instructed authorities to urgently decide whether the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Hospital should operate under a government hospital model or a private hospital model.
The directive was issued during a recent COPE meeting chaired by MP Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera, where the management of KDU was summoned to examine the Auditor General’s reports for 2023 and 2024, along with the institution’s current performance.
According to a statement issued by Parliament, the committee raised serious concerns over the underutilisation of hospital facilities, including wards, operating theatres and intensive care units, despite the hospital having a capacity of more than 800 beds.
Shortages of medical officers and other healthcare staff were also highlighted during the discussion.
COPE warned that failure to reach a clear decision on the hospital’s operating model and implement necessary measures could further worsen the existing problems.
The committee also examined issues relating to the repayment of foreign loans obtained for the hospital’s construction and weaknesses in financial and administrative management
Meanwhile, COPE revealed that the hospital had incurred a loss of approximately Rs. 8.44 million due to the theft of 2,199 metres of copper strips belonging to its lightning protection system.
A civilian contract worker and a Navy member had been arrested in connection with the thefts reported in 2022 and 2023.
The committee further questioned whether the use of aluminium wires to replace the stolen copper strips had met the required technical and safety standards.
COPE stressed the need to improve the utilisation of hospital facilities, address staff shortages, strengthen financial management and ensure more effective use of public resources.
The committee also called for amendments to the existing KDU Act to strengthen the university’s governance and administrative structure. (Newswire)