COLOMBO; Seyed Ali Zahir Mowlana’s speech in Parliament on 30/11/2023
“Today I am really delighted to participate in this vote of Health Ministry which is under the leadership of a professional doctor, none other than Hon. Minister, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana. I always felt that the Minister of Health should be one from the medical profession. Even in the previous government, whenever we requested former minister Dr. Rajitha Senarath, we were able to have the hospital requirements executed promptly as he understood the crisis as he was a doctor himself. So I am so glad that a person of your caliber is heading the Ministry of Health, so as your state ministers.
Hon. Chair, let me draw the attention of the Hon. Minister to the almost completed Surgical Unit of the Base Hospital in Eravur, which was upgraded to Type B Base Hospital in 2011. It is a hospital that caters to a population of 110,000 where all communities benefit from it.
90% of the building is completed. And Access Constructions Company who have been doing the construction mentioned that it will be completed before December 2023. It would be much appreciated if you could instruct through your good office to hasten the completion as soon as possible. I also take this opportunity to invite you to come and commission the functioning of the Surgical unit of this Eravur Base Hospital.
Next, I would like to draw your attention to the teaching hospital of Batticaloa.
At Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, the Renal Unit and the Cardiology Unit buildings’ work is yet to be completed. Having done more than 90% of the construction and finishing of this project is being delayed.
According to the Department of National Planning Division of Treasury has approved 8 building complexes for the Teaching Hospital of BATTICALOA in order to have the following complexes to be constructed such as, construction of ward complex, construction of surgical unit, construction of maternal and pediatric unit complex, construction of radiology and laboratory unit complex, construction of quarters for doctors and nurses, and the expansion of Oncology unit equipped for iodine therapy.
However, considering the dilapidated conditions of the old buildings of this teaching hospital, I urge you to consider at least one building complex with six stories to be constructed, Whilst understanding the economic crisis we are in, your favourable consideration in the construction of this one building will be appreciated.
Furthermore, the Batticaloa Regional Director of Health Services has indicated that there are vacancies in the following areas:
More than 12 hospitals without permanent doctors in Batticaloa District.
More than 20 dispenser vacancies exist in the Batticaloa region.
47 Midwives vacancies, 105 Minor Staffs and 06 MLTs.
Further, other areas that require attention are:
A dire need for an MRI Unit, at the Teaching Hospitals of Batticaloa, where there is no such unit available anywhere in the Eastern Province.
Moreover, many ambulances are under repair, and since Hon. Dr. Harsha de Silva mentioned in his speech that Suwa seriya ambulances were to be given, Batticaloa District also to be accommodated.
Also, a Provincial Water Checking lab in the district is much needed.
Finally, with the increase in the spread of dengue due to the recent torrential rains, I also wish to broach the subject.
Whilst there are around 1500 Dengue field assistants islandwide who were appointed on 22nd August 2017, they still have not been given a permanent appointment despite their dedicaticated services in mitigating dengue for more than 6 years.
In Batticaloa District alone there are 47 such Dengue Field Assistants employed. Their current salary is Rs. 22,500+5,000 as COVID allowance which totals to a sum of 27,500. They should be absorbed as permanent cadres, please.”
