The Hon. Rohana Bandara

¶ 01 Thank you, Hon. Minister. Prompt action is needed. Next, I wish to raise an issue regarding kidney patients. Particularly in Anuradhapura District and other areas, chronic kidney disease is a major problem. Due to procurement setbacks, dialysis needles are in short supply, and some patients are being sent home without dialysis because they cannot afford high costs privately.

¶ 02 Anuradhapura District, especially Medawachchiya, has many such patients. We made progress with testing and water filters, but now a serious setback has occurred. Each dialysis session costs the government around Rs. 8,000, yet by the time patients require dialysis, their lives and family finances are devastated. The National Unit for Prevention and Research on Kidney Disease previously performed around 350 screenings a day up to last January, but for the past ten months no preliminary screenings have been conducted. Without screenings, patients are detected late, increasing costs and risks. Will you resume screenings and urgently supply the needed dialysis needles?