Govt. to reintroduce paying wards at State-run hospitals 

The Government has decided to reintroduce paying wards at State hospitals countrywide to serve locals and foreigners.

The move was a 2023 Budget proposal by President Ranil Wickremesinghe to re-implement the ‘paying wards system’ at Government hospitals.

The proposal to this effect submitted by Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers at its meeting on Monday.

“The proposal was tabled taking into account the fact that there are many citizens who are willing to secure paying wards at Government-run hospitals,” Cabinet Co-Spokesman and Minister Bandula Gunawardena said at the post-Cabinet meeting media briefing yesterday.

A statement containing weekly Cabinet decisions issued by the Government Information Department noted that the State has already provided ‘Agrahara’ health insurance coverage for public sector employees and retirees.