All estate hospitals in Nuwara Eliya District taken under Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health had decided to take over all estate hospitals in the Nuwara Eliya District during a discussion between Medical Officers of Health (MoH) of the Nuwara Eliya District and officials of the Ministry of Health. 

The decision was taken at the Ministry of Health premises at a meeting chaired by Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. This step was taken based on a recommendation of the Sectoral Oversight Committee on Health and Human Welfare, Social Empowerment to improve the health services provided by the estate hospitals.

Dr. Rajitha Senaratne instructed regional health officers to immediately suggest a practical action plan to develop state hospitals in the Nuwara Eliya District. The Minister said that he wants to develop all estate hospitals, so that they can provide comprehensive services within the next five years. 

This move is to ensure that those who obtain services from estate hospitals receive a better quality service. Currently they are served by Assistant Medical Officers (AMO). These hospitals will now be supervised by the Nuwara Eliya District Medical Officer and staff.

As a result of the meeting, Dr. Senaratne is also pondering on holding a mobile health camp at the estates. During this health camp, medical practitioners will visit estate sector workers at their homes. The objective of this initiative is to familiarise estate sector workers on services provided by an OPD at a hospital. 

During this meeting it was proposed to provide housing for Family Health Workers deployed at the estates. Dr. Senaratne said that this initiative will be carried out after further discussions with the Hill Country New Villages, Infrastructure and Community Development Ministers Palany Thigambaram. With this a Family Health Worker will be attached to each set of estate housing units and will be provided with housing. The Family Health Worker will take charge in ensuring the basic health needs of the community, advise them, provide maternal and infant health support and the distribution of Thriposha.