Health Ministry to take over all estate hospitals in N’eliya District

The Ministry of Health had decided to take over all estate hospitals in the Nuwara Eliya District consequent to a discussion between Medical Officers of Health (MOH) of the Nuwara Eliya District and officials of the Ministry of Health, a statement from the Ministry said.

The decision was taken at the Ministry of Health premises at a meeting chaired by the Minister of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. This step was taken based on a recommendation of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health and Human Welfare, Social Empowerment, to improve the health services provided by the estate hospitals.

Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne instructed regional health officers to immediately suggest a practical action plan to develop estate hospitals in the Nuwara Eliya District. The minister said that he wanted to develop all estate hospitals, so that they could provide comprehensive services within the next five years. This move was to ensure that those who obtain services from estate hospitals receive a better quality service. Currently they are served by Assistant Medical Officers (AMOS). These hospitals will now be supervised by the Nuwara Eliya District Medical Officer and staff.

As a result of the meeting, Minister of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne is also pondering on holding a mobile health camp on the estates. During this health camp, medical practitioners will visit estate sector workers at their homes. The objective of this initiative is to familiarize estate sector workers on services provided by an OPD at a hospital. During this meeting it was proposed to provide housing for Family Health Workers deployed on the estates. Minister of Health, Nutrition & Indigenous Medicine, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said that this initiative will be carried out after further discussions with the Minister of Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure & Community Development, Palany Thigambaram.

With this, a Family Health Worker will be attached to each set of estate housing units and she will be provided with housing. The Family Health Worker will take charge in ensuring the basic health needs of the community, advise them, provide maternal and infant health support and the distribution of Thriposha.