Cabinet nod for Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital’s board of governors

Monthly allocation of Rs. 250 million to maintain newly-acquired facility

Cabinet this week approved a proposal to provide a monthly allocation of Rs. 250 million to the Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH) in addition to assenting to its interim board of governors selected by the Health Ministry to manage the institution until its incorporation by an act of Parliament. 

“The Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday gave approval to appoint a board of governors with effect from 1 August 2017 for its administration and management under the chairmanship of Dr. U.A. Ajith Mendis, former Director General of Health Services. This is till the hospital is incorporated like Sri Jayawardenepura Hospital,” Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said. 

Accordingly, a board of 12 members will be appointed to manage the hospital which will include Dr. N.E.L.W. Jayasekrakara - Director of the NFTH; Dr. P.L. Athapattu - Director General of Medical Services, Health Ministry; Dinesh Weerakkody - Chartered Management Accountant; Sarath Liyanage – Lawyer; Kapila Ranasinghe – Management Specialist; Dr. Dilip De Silva - Consultant Dental Surgeon; Prof. Sarath Jayasuriya - civil society representative and four consultants from major specialities of the hospital, Dr. A. A. Punya Keerthi – representative from the Faculty of Medicine of SAITM and Dr. Jayasundara Bandara – Director General of Health Services of Health Ministry. 

An estimated amount of Rs. 200 million will be allocated monthly for operational expenses while another monthly allocation of Rs. 50 million as the estimated cost of medical supplies will be provided through the general Treasury until the end of this year. 

“This hospital has some of the best facilities in the country. Their MRI scanner is one of the most modern in the country, their laundry and kitchen are automated. This is one of the best facilities for our patients,” the Health Minister said.