Austria extends Rs. 1.8 b interest-free loan for health sector development

The Erste Bank of Austria has provided EUR 9.5 million (approximately Rs.1,810 million) interest-free credit facilities to enhance the access to quality and modern healthcare facilities in hospitals in the country. 

The Government, having recognised the importance, has now been able to provide anaesthetic machines, ICU ventilators, blood gas analysers, endoscopes, operation theatres and mobile lights for identified hospitals in Sri Lanka.

The objectives of the project are to reduce hospital-acquired infections, ensure access to modern healthcare equipment so as to provide immediate care to the patients whilst reducing the recurrent costs and expenditure to the Government. Accordingly, the people in the entire country will be benefitted through this project by enhancing access to quality healthcare facilities.

The Ministry of Finance and Mass Media Secretary Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga, Austrian Embassy the Commercial Counsellor Dr. Oskar Andesner and a representative from the Erste Bank of Austria signed the agreement in this regard on 23 May at the Ministry of Finance in Colombo.