Health Ministry unit to handle donations

Nadira Gunatilleke

The Health Ministry will set up a special unit to handle donations received by the Ministry and State hospitals. The main objective of setting up of this unit is to make sure that all foreign and local donations are distributed equally among all State hospitals, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the spokesman State hospitals receive a large amount of donations from both local and foreign donors. These donations include cash and equipment to State hospitals.

Both local and foreign individuals, organizations and companies are among the donors. Some State hospitals receive a large amount of donations while some receive a small amount of donations. Some rural hospitals do not receive donations and they lack urgent medical equipment.

The special unit to be set up shortly will coordinate with the donors and take steps to distribute donations among all State hospitals, especially those located in difficult areas, he said. Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has already instructed Health Ministry Additional Secretary Dr. Palitha Mahipala to establish the unit, he added.