News
One of the most cost-effective health systems in crisis owing to corruption, nepotism, cronyism, bungling
Corruption, nepotism, cronyism and mismanagement were the reasons why Sri Lanka’s health system is in crisis, Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), Prof. Indika Karunathilake said recently at a televised dicussion.
“This happens at all levels. The system has failed. There are multiple checks and balances in the system to ensure that if something goes wrong at one level, it can be identified and rectified at another. But when these checks and balances are gone, the system collapses. This is what we are seeing now,” he said.
Prof. Karunathilake added a large number of health staffers had been compelled to leave the country, as well.
The Sri Lankan healthcare system is known as one of the most cost-effective systems in the world, Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe, who also appeared at the discussion, said. Sri Lanka’s per capita expenditure on healthcare is about 400 U.S. dollars a year, he added.
“In the UK, per capita expenditure on healthcare is about USD 4,000 a year. In the U.S its 9,000 dollars. However, Sri Lankan healthcare indices are comparable to the above mentioned developed countries. This excellent system is now facing a crisis. This crisis is not purely due to the economic crisis. The 2023 health budget is double that of 2021 in rupee terms. Even if you take depreciation, the spending has not declined. So, there is no reason for a shortage of drugs or equipment to occur.”
Dr. Amarasinghe said there is also a problem with the quality of drugs distributed in the government and private hospitals.
“The reputation of our system has been tarnished in a very short period of time. How did this happen and who is responsible? People who were in charge of the system in the past few years are responsible. Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his team are responsible. The Minister has been removed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said the achievements of the past with regards to health are being dismantled. The meternity mortality, the various indices of the health of children under five, etc., are showing a deterioration, he said.
President-Elect, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said the current crisis in the health system is unprecedented.
Dr. Thenuwan Wickramasinghe of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said patients coming into government hospitals have increased by 40 percent. This is because they can’t afford private healthcare.
“The healthcare system still survives because of the human capital,” he said.
News
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (07) are Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon.
By Norman Palihawadane
The CID recently found that former SLPP Deputy Minister Premalal Jayasekara, better known as ‘Choka Malli’, had left for Thailand when the Supreme Court imposed an overseas travel ban on him last Friday.
The CID discovered that Jayasekara had left Sri Lanka on August 31, while authorities were taking steps to enforce the travel restriction imposed by the Supreme Court. The Department has subsequently informed the Attorney General’s Department of the development.
The Supreme Court last Friday ordered Jayasekara, and two other men, to appear before court on October 21, and imposed a ban on their overseas travel.
The orders were made as the Supreme Court considered an appeal challenging the acquittal of the three men in connection with the 2015 murder of Shantha Dodangoda, also known as D.G. Sunil Perera.
The appeal was filed by Dodangoda’s wife against a decision of the Court of Appeal to acquit and release Jayasekara and the two other accused, who had previously been convicted and sentenced to death by the Ratnapura High Court.
Dodangoda was killed in a shooting in Kahawatta town, in the early hours of January 5, 2015, while a group of people were putting up decorations for an election rally in support of then common Opposition presidential candidate Maithripala Sirisena.
Two others, Karunadasa Weerasinghe and Mohamed Ilfan, were seriously injured in the shooting.
Following the incident, the Ratnapura High Court convicted Jayasekara, former Chairman of the Kahawatta Pradeshiya Sabha Wajira Darshana de Silva, and former Sabaragamuwa Provincial Council member Nilanta Jayakody, sentencing all three to death.
The Court of Appeal subsequently acquitted the three men and ordered their release.
The victim’s wife later challenged the acquittal before the Supreme Court.
The appeal was taken up before a Supreme Court bench, comprising Justice Preethi Padman Surasena and Justices Achala Wengappuli and Gihan Kulatunga.
During the proceedings, Deputy Solicitor General Janaka Bandara requested that the court impose overseas travel restrictions on Jayasekara and the other respondents.
The Supreme Court subsequently ordered all three to appear before the court on October 21 and imposed travel bans on them.
President’s Counsel Nalin Ladduwahetty, President’s Counsel U.R. de Silva and President’s Counsel Anuja Premaratne appeared for the respondents. President’s Counsel Saliya Peiris represented the aggrieved party.
Police sources said that the discovery that Jayasekara had already left for Thailand, on August 31, has raised concerns over the timing and enforcement of the travel ban.
Sources said that the CID had notified the Attorney General’s Department and was taking further action in relation to the development.
By Pradeep Prasanna Samarakoon
The number of deaths from dengue fever in Sri Lanka has risen to 73 this year, with 96,228 cases reported across the country so far, according to the Dengue Control Unit.
The latest figures indicate that dengue continues to pose a significant public health concern, with 737 new cases recorded during the first four days of September alone.
Dengue infections peaked in July, when 29,964 cases were reported, according to the latest data. June recorded the second-highest monthly total, with 21,533 cases, while 10,155 cases were reported in August.
Earlier in the year, 8,590 cases were recorded in May and 7,866 cases in January.The Western Province remains the worst-affected area, accounting for more than half of all dengue cases reported nationwide. A total of 50,851 cases have been recorded in the province, representing 52.84% of the country’s total.
The Southern Province has recorded 13,950 cases, followed by the Central Province with 8,818 cases and Sabaragamuwa Province with 7,925 cases.
Sun directly overhead Galle, Angulugaha, Imaduwa, Telijjawila, Yatiyana and Tangalle about 12.08 noon today (07)
Showers above 50 mm are likely at some places in the Uva and Eastern provinces.
Harshitha’s composed knock seals Sri Lanka’s semi-final berth
‘Choka Malli’ slips out of country before travel ban
Dengue death toll rises to 73
Ranil accuses govt. of undermining democracy
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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