The Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, recalling the people of Monaragala, Wellassa whom I represent, I move:

¶ 02 “That this Hon. House urges the implementation of a formal action plan based on a National Health Policy to rapidly resolve the congestion, facility and service quality issues, trained staff shortages, and equipment provision and maintenance in OPD units of State hospitals, and the substandard situations in some private OPDs, thereby ensuring access to quality healthcare as a right, consistent with the theme ‘Healthy Life – A Healthy People’ in our policy declaration ‘A Prosperous Country – A Beautiful Life’ placed before the people during the 2024 Presidential Election.”

¶ 03 Due to weak governance and poor management by past rulers, not only health but the entire system fell into crisis. In health, shortages of medical and health staff, emigration of professionals, and low-quality, substandard medicines causing loss of life, reveal the magnitude of the crisis.

¶ 04 We saw innocent patients losing hope of life, allegations against responsible officials and the Minister over substandard medicines, and even a former Health Minister saying “flower shops exist in front of hospitals for that,” which is shameful. Seventeen patients who underwent eye surgeries in Nuwara Eliya were rendered fully or partially blind due to serious quality issues. Those who now talk about privileges failed then to stand up for those patients.

¶ 05 As the NPP Government, we decided to pay full compensation to those 17 visually impaired patients; that is real justice. In the past, rulers who plunged the sector into crisis went abroad for treatment, using millions from the President’s Fund meant for the people. Under the NPP Government, we have established the President’s Fund at every Divisional Secretariat to serve people better.

¶ 06 We also know many await surgeries in the free health system. Therefore, the Government has decided to grant special allowances to doctors and health staff who perform additional surgeries beyond duty hours. We extend our respects to all medical and health staff across the country who serve the people despite shortages.

¶ 07 The National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA), established under Act No. 5 of 2015, bears heavy responsibility to ensure continuous quality medicines for State hospitals. Under our Health Minister, institutions once turned into dens for corrupt tenders are now being transformed into people-friendly, truly progressive institutions, with the necessary measures underway.

¶ 08 As Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said: “We need leaders not in love with money but in love with justice; not in love with publicity but in love with humanity.” As a Government and people’s force, we love humanity and justice and stand for them, not for money or publicity. The people have mandated us to transform not only the health sector but all sectors—to make Sri Lanka a wonderful nation in Asia. We believe only the NPP Government can bring this change. Thank you.