Hon. M.A.M. Thahir

¶ 01 Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I am pleased to contribute on Health and Mass Media.

¶ 03 “Health is wealth.” May all health staff remain healthy and strong.

¶ 04 In Ampara District, there are two RDHS divisions. In my own area, the Nintavur hospital should have about 35 doctors but has 15; 71 nurses but has 40; and 61 other staff but has 26. It provides an essential service under severe constraint. There are only four ambulances and three drivers. Please address these shortages.

¶ 05 At Sammanthurai Base Hospital (Type A), a China-funded project started in 2018 remains incomplete; this is also the case at Pottuvil Hospital. Please complete and hand over these facilities.

¶ 06 At Sammanthurai, an Accountant post was approved through efforts of former Minister Rishad Bathiudeen, but remains unfilled; please appoint. The area has about 100,000 people. The surgeon has gone abroad; please fill the vacancy. The radiographer was promoted and transferred; please appoint a permanent replacement. Only Kalmunai North Hospital currently provides eye services; if a Phaco machine is provided to Sammanthurai, local people can also receive ophthalmic services.

¶ 07 Please also establish an “Osusala” state pharmacy at affordable prices and address the shortage of pharmacists. At present, nurses and minor staff dispense medicines in hospital pharmacies, which risks errors; we must train staff or recruit pharmacists.

¶ 08 In very poor villages like Vangamam, Thandiyadi, and Alayadivembu, please establish PMC branches with required doctors and resources.

¶ 09 Since 2007, over 1,700 Indigenous Medicine graduates remain outside public service—including many over 35 years old—from all communities. Please address their recruitment.

¶ 10 In Thirukkovil (RDHS Kalmunai division), a Tamil-majority area, no new hospital building has been constructed. A Rs. 200 million project was initiated but never realised. Please construct a proper building and provide dialysis facilities there.

¶ 11 Across the country, the Ministry is doing much. In Mannar District too, there are shortages of doctors and medicines. Please address them.

¶ 12 Finally, shortages in government hospitals fuel the growth of private pharmacies even near public facilities. Please prioritise resolving medicine shortages. Also, address salaries in the health sector—the backbone of the nation.

¶ 13 Thank you.