Hon. Hector Appuhamy

¶ 01 Hon. Deputy Chairperson of Committees, thank you. Today we are approving regulations to introduce a pricing formula for medicines under the NMRA Act. Life is intertwined with medicines and doctors; hospitals are places that give life. To be Health Minister is, in a way, a blessing. The current Minister is working hard—good—but some questions have arisen.

¶ 02 We now hear there is a shortage of about 100 categories of medicines, including essentials. If a patient dies due to lack of medicines, who is responsible? Not only the Government; we all are. A former Cabinet Minister is in prison for wrong decisions and rackets regarding health; we are glad we acted for the people—not out of anger, but because great harm was done.

¶ 03 Some practical issues: While we set a pricing formula, hospitals have been allowed to purchase certain medicines locally. There are locally manufactured and imported drugs at different prices. If we give hospitals local purchasing powers, can they procure under the formula and still compete with the private sector? If not, we must first rationalize local purchasing frameworks.

¶ 04 Beyond medicines, there are shortages of laboratory equipment; we must have a plan for diagnostics too. We fought long over issues in the Health Ministry. Minister, you have appointed a qualified CEO to the NMRA—good. But is the Chairman qualified, knowledgeable in governance and regulation? Further, can the NMRA Chairman do private channeling at a private hospital? If an MP or Minister has a conflict of interest, it is problematic. If Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama serves as NMRA Chairman while channeling in the private sector, and if issues arise, what then? If delays or selective registrations cause shortages, the people will suffer. I ask only whether such channeling is proper and ethical. Please clarify.

¶ 05 Turning to my district: at Dankotuwa District Hospital, the eye clinic and dental unit are closed—please intervene. At Marawila Base Hospital, the surgical ward and theatre complex remain unfinished; nursing quarters were demolished to start work but now there are no quarters and staff rent outside—please complete the complex. The mortuary is dilapidated; only the freezer works, bodies decompose, and post-mortem instruments are over six years old and unusable—replace them.

¶ 06 At Udappuwa District Hospital, only about 50 percent of medicines come from the hospital; the rest arrive from Sri Lankans abroad who help villagers. There are no quarters for doctors; transport is difficult—please address. At Kalpitiya District Hospital, a new surgical building was constructed and the hospital was upgraded to a Base Hospital in 2019, but no new cadre, doctors or staff were provided; even foreigners seek treatment there. The new building is still unopened—please open it and provide staff. Also prioritize staff quarters in hospitals; doctors travel far with high costs.

¶ 07 We also requested upgrading Puttalam District Hospital to a National Hospital; we fought long for this. You promised to do it; please deliver. Thank you.