The Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa

¶ 01 Hon. Member, among our secondary care hospitals, only about seven in the country are not under the line Ministry. Of these, four — Mannar, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya District General Hospitals — are in the Northern Province. Additionally, Avissawella, Gampaha and Horana District General Hospitals in the Western Province are also under Provincial Councils. It would indeed be easier if all tertiary care units were under the Central Government/line Ministry.

¶ 02 For example, this year alone we gave 4,114 nursing appointments. Yet, hospitals under Provincial Councils still face nursing shortages. Even when we direct nurses to the Provincial Director, in many places the provincial cadre is already full; the Western Province is similar. Therefore, subject to Provincial Council consent, the line Ministry is willing to take over the four Northern and three Western Province District General Hospitals. We have already requested this. Provincial Council approval is required.