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

¶ 01 Hon. Speaker, the answers are as follows:

¶ 02 (a) (i) At present, only the Paediatrics Unit is operational at Gallassa Maternity and Children’s Hospital, with adequate staff for that unit. (ii) Arrangements are being made to commence full services; further facilities will be provided as needed. (iii) Children’s clinics are functioning; the maternity clinic is scheduled to commence. (iv) Yes. (v) Yes. (vi) Drivers – 03; Assistants – 02. (vii) The current numbers are adequate. (viii) Additional allocations can be made during upcoming recruitments as needs arise.

¶ 03 By way of context, construction was completed in early 2023 and the hospital was opened mid-2023. Full operations were delayed due to non-approval and non-deployment of the full cadre previously. Currently, four paediatric clinics and paediatric wards with 88 beds are functioning; an obstetrics and gynaecology clinic is operating; OPD, chest clinic, physiotherapy unit, community paediatric clinic, and “Mithuru Piyasa” services are provided. We decided in January to establish the Moratuwa Medical Faculty’s professorial unit at Gallassa; the Paediatrics professorial unit has been set up; obstetrics and gynaecology wards will commence this week, with blood bank and laboratory services starting today. Nagoda Hospital will continue O&G wards, where medical and surgical professorial units will begin.

¶ 04 (b) (i) Laboratory technical facilities exist; adequacy is relative, and further provision is being made. (ii) Facilities provided are in usable condition. (iii) I table Annex 01 listing required equipment by hospital. (iv) The consolidated procurement list of medical equipment is tabled as Annex 02.

¶ 05 Current procurement and maintenance plans under implementation allocate approximately Rs. 27 billion toward equipment.

¶ 06 (c) Does not arise.