National policies on health information and elders approved by cabinet
View(s):A national policy on health information, a national elderly health policy and new coordinating authority for science and technology were among the proposals approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Tuesday.
Given are the details of the proposals from www.news.lk:
National policy on health information
When essential health services, prevention and treatment services are provided by government hospitals diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of outcomes, administrative decisions, planning and supervision should be duly performed. Availability of an accurate, reliable and easily accessible, cost effective information system is very helpful in this regard. The health information system in Sri Lanka is mainly consisted of government related information and information of private healthcare providers will be added in the future. Moreover, the existing paper based method of obtaining data should be improved with modern information technology. Accordingly, the National Policy on Health Information prepared according to national health services policy and presented by Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, was approved by the Cabinet.
Proposed National Elderly health policy and strategies
Increase in elder population due to increase of expected lifetime and decrease in childbirths is a timely issue faced by Sri Lanka. It is expected that the elder population over 60 years of age which is currently 12 per cent will increase to 16 per cent in 2020 and to 29 per cent in 2050. It is essential to properly direct the elderly healthcare services to face this situation. Accordingly, the National Elderly Health Policy presented by Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, Minister of Health Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine was approved by the Cabinet.
Establishment of National science technology and innovation coordinating authority
The proposal made by Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology and Research, to establish the above authority to facilitate the coordination of research and development activities administered by 21 line ministries and about 80 research institutions and research centres, with the view of gaining the maximum outcome of investments made on science, technology and innovation for the socio-economic development, was approved by the Cabinet.