Hambantota and Nuwara Eliya hospitals to be developed

Hambantota and Nuwara Eliya Base Hospitals would be developed, spending Rs 13 billion, a grant from the Netherlands, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said in Parliament yesterday. He said the grant has been approved and work would commence this year. He said the ‘Vision 2020’ programme has been receiving foreign grants from various countries.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by UNP MP Sajith Premadasa. He said Rs 7 billion has been allocated for the development of the Hambantota Base Hospital and another Rs 6 billion for the development of the Nuwara Eliya Hospital.

The Minister said an inquiry would be held on the issue of eye patients being directed to private optsmetrists to obtain spectacles and contact lenses, by officers of the Hambantota Base Hospital.