The Hon. Mohamed Sali Naleem

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

¶ 02 Hon. Presiding Member, I thank the Almighty for the opportunity to speak on the allocations for the Ministry of Health. We observe that the Ministry’s actions are commendable, with many allocations proposed through it. However, the Ministry’s allocation to the Eastern Province is insufficient—only about 0.12 percent of the total. This is concerning. I request the Hon. Minister to pay attention to this and provide additional funds.

¶ 03 I also wish to record my thanks. In a previous sitting, I requested a power connection for the newly-constructed building of the Eravur Base Hospital funded by China. I learned today that within two days a 160 kW generator will be provided and the facility will be operationalized. I thank the Hon. Minister, the State Minister, the Secretary to the Ministry, Provincial Director of Health Services Mr. Costa, Regional Director of Health Services Dr. Bandara, and all officials.

¶ 04 I further request that the old generator presently at Eravur Base Hospital be transferred to the Eravur Ayurvedic Hospital. That facility is about 20 years old and has many needs. At minimum, the old generator should be given and made operational there.

¶ 05 Earlier I requested an MRI scanner for the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital and the establishment of a state “Osusala” pharmacy. The Hon. Minister said those needs would be fulfilled. A state “Osusala” in our district is a necessity to reduce the high cost burden on the poor for medicines and to meet their needs. I thank him for that assurance.

¶ 06 At present, Eravur Base Hospital is practically a bus stand, as patients are transferred to Batticaloa Hospital due to lack of services and facilities. There is no Medical Officer of Health, no surgeons, no obstetricians, no paediatricians, no anaesthetists, insufficient medical officers and nurses, and inadequate health workers—no basic facilities. There are also no facilities for doctors who come to serve—no quarters for general physicians or surgeons to stay and work. If residential quarters with basic amenities are provided, doctors posted from distant regions will be able to stay and serve. I request the Hon. Minister to provide such facilities.

¶ 07 Hon. Presiding Member, my time is up.

¶ 08 Hon. Presiding Member, please grant me one more minute.

¶ 09 In Meeraikerni, a rural hospital 30–40 years old has only an OPD functioning. Currently, a doctor serves there only on an attachment basis. Please provide all necessary resources, admit and care for inpatients, and appoint a permanent doctor and nurses so the people of that area may be properly served by upgrading that facility. With that request to the Hon. Minister of Health, I conclude. Thank you.