Seychelles Health Minister visits Lanka Hospitals

Wednesday, 13 August 2014 00:05 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

By Sarah Hannan A media conference was held recently marking the visit of Seychelles Health Minister Mitcy Larue and the special delegation of medical experts from Seychelles to Lanka Hospitals. This is the first time a medical delegation from Seychelles is visiting Sri Lanka as part of the bilateral cooperation established by the Presidents of Sri Lanka and Seychelles.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s visit to Seychelles earlier this year had set the stage for bilateral relations between Seychelles and Sri Lanka. Health Care was one of the key areas that were discussed during the visit. It is a pleasure to know that Lanka Hospitals was selected to showcase the health care services provided by private hospitals. We are looking forward to send our medical delegation to Seychelles to have a look at their health care services and take part in knowledge transfer,” Lanka Hospitals CEO Dr. Lakith Peiris stated in his welcome address. Addressing the gathering Seychelles Health Minister Mitcy Larue stated that this is her first official visit to Sri Lanka; “The existing bilateral cooperation between Sri Lanka and Seychelles helps us to work together towards a common goal. During our stay we will visit several hospitals to identify the various health care services offered in Sri Lanka. Health care in Seychelles is free therefore we do not have private hospitals.” Their visit to Lanka Hospitals will give them an insight on how private hospitals function and what services are on offer for patients. There are certain services the government hospitals in Seychelles cannot offer and patients are flown in to other countries to receive the treatments. For example they do not have the facilities to perform open heart surgery, highly complex neuro surgery and chemotherapy. With the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and having direct flights to Sri Lanka and the availability of these services the Seychelles government finds it convenient to send their patients here. Further elaborating on Seychelles’ health care Seychelles Health Care Agency Dr. Suresh Menon stated; “Seychelles has undergone a lot of changes for the betterment of services. A big reform has taken place in the health care sector which has been in place since January 2014. Our visit to Sri Lanka will focus on what steps could be taken to uplift the health care services in both the countries.” Dr. Menon also noted that the health care services provided in Sri Lanka, be it public or private hospitals are on par with many developed countries. Patients flown from Seychelles for treatment in Sri Lanka has good things to say about the services provided in Sri Lanka. By establishing a joint cooperation both countries will learn from one another. Pix by Lasantha Kumara