The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, while seconding the Adjournment Motion moved by Hon. Ruwan Wijeweera, I wish to make a few remarks. Monaragala, which he represents, records among the lowest health indicators, so we respect his right to raise this. As a Government, we aim to ensure equal access to health rights for every citizen.

¶ 02 Health comprises promotion, prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and also palliative care—an area we have not engaged sufficiently. Today’s focus is treatment. Our aim is to deliver treatment more efficiently, effectively, safely, people-centred, timely, fairly, and transparently. Both the State and private sectors treat patients. The Ministry directly manages State care and, under existing law, also intervenes in private care to some extent; we believe amendments are needed to strengthen regulation of private treatment.

¶ 03 We also intend to make significant reforms in treatment services while ensuring everyone’s right to access. We especially aim to strengthen primary care—the first point of contact—by bringing it closer to a family doctor model. Though many countries have it, ours is weak; we will establish it properly.