Patients on waiting lists for surgeries to receive treatment at private hospitals : Rajitha

Government hospital patients who require surgeries but are facing delays, will be allowed to undergo 52 types of procedures at private hospitals from next month, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne said.

Mr. Senaratne observed that several patients face delays in undergoing surgeries since state hospital doctors take to private consultations.

Accordingly, he said that these doctors would carry out surgeries at private hospitals based on the health condition of the patient. The medical bill for these patients would be borne by the Health Ministry, Minister Senaratne noted.

He explained that surgeries to be carried out would range from heart, kidney, and bowel-related procedures to cataract surgeries.

At present, arrangements have been made to carry out this initiative at two semi-government hospitals - the Sri Jayawardenapura hospital and the Neville Fernando teaching hospital, along with five other private hospitals.

(Reporting by Damith Wickramasekara)