The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa - Minister of Health and Mass Media and Chief Government Whip

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the reply is as follows.

¶ 02 (a)(i) Divisional hospitals in Jaffna and Kilinochchi:

¶ 03 - Type A: Jaffna 0; Kilinochchi 0; Total 0 - Type B: Jaffna 5; Kilinochchi 1; Total 6 - Type C: Jaffna 18; Kilinochchi 6; Total 24 Total: Jaffna 23; Kilinochchi 7; Total 30

¶ 04 (a)(ii) The approved and actual cadre details are contained in an annex which I table, as it is lengthy.

¶ 05 (a)(iii) Appointments have been given enabling 1,374 Post-Intern Medical Officers to assume duties on 15th September 2025. From among them, doctors have been assigned to Jaffna and Kilinochchi as per published vacancy lists and service requirements.

¶ 06 For nursing: students currently in training (2019 intake of 294 will receive basic nursing appointments) are being assigned primarily to the North and East. Approval has been obtained to recruit 875 degree-holder nurses; about 700 will be recruited. Interviews are underway; a six‑month induction/orientation course will commence mid‑October; by mid‑April those 700 can be appointed, helping fill vacancies.

¶ 07 For allied health professionals (MLT, physiotherapist, radiographer, speech therapist, audiology technician), approval has been obtained from the Department of Management Services for upcoming recruitments; processes are underway, with allocations to the North and East.

¶ 08 Under Provincial recruitment, supporting staff and minor grades will be recruited and assigned to divisional hospitals in Jaffna and Kilinochchi according to service needs.

¶ 09 Separately, recruitment for 1,900 Health Service Assistants has commenced under line-Ministry hospitals; after filling, in consultation with Governors, required numbers will be released to Provincial (divisional) hospitals.

¶ 10 (a)(iv) Yes.

¶ 11 (a)(v)-(vi) Approval to recruit 164 graduate pharmacists was referred on 05.08.2025 to the Committee on Reviewing Public Service Recruitment Procedures. Recruitment will proceed upon approval and postings will be made accordingly to hospitals with vacancies. Approval has not yet been granted; therefore interviews have not been conducted.

¶ 12 (a)(vii) Yes.

¶ 13 (a)(viii) Driver recruitment for Provincial hospitals is done by the respective Provincial Council. The Northern Provincial Council has sought the necessary approvals for recruitment; drivers will be recruited upon receipt of approval.

¶ 14 (b)(i) Yes.

¶ 15 (b)(ii) With effect from 31.01.2020.

¶ 16 (b)(iii) Approved cadre for Velanai Divisional Hospital (Type B) and actuals (as per 2013/2018 cadre revisions; Annex 2 tabled):

¶ 17 - Medical Officer: Approved 2; In position 2 - Dental Surgeon: Approved 1; In position 1 - Public Health Midwives: Approved 2; In position 1 - Dispenser: Approved 2; In position 1 - Driver: Approved 1; In position 1 - Attendants: Approved 6; In position 6 - Watcher: Approved 1; In position 0 - Health Service Assistants: Approved 8; In position 5 - Nursing cadre: Not yet approved for this hospital; being processed - Development Officer: No approved post; one serving - Community Health Workers: Approved 4; In position 4

¶ 18 (b)(iv) Staff facilities in line with grading have not been fully provided as noted.

¶ 19 (b)(v) Cadre regularization and necessary facility enhancements, including laboratory capacity, will be carried out by the Northern Provincial Council in due course.

¶ 20 (c) Does not arise.