Minister dissolves Sri Jayawardenapura Hospital Board

By Chamitha Kuruppu

HEALTH Minister Maithripala Sirisena on Tuesday dissolved the management of the Sri Jayawardenapura Teaching Hospital with immediate effect. The hospital is to function under an interim board until a new director board is appointed next week.

Speaking to Daily FT Deputy Health Minister Lalith Dissanayake said the decision was taken as a move to restructure Jayawardenapura hospital. “The hospital administration was at ruins. We received numerous complaints. Minister Sirisena wants to revamp and upgrade it to a better hospital,” Dissanayake explained.

Asked whether the move had any links with parliamentarian Duminda Silva receiving treatments at the hospital he pointed out “No the decision to dissolve the management has nothing to do with MP Silva. In fact we have to thank the hospital staff for their commendable service and quick action during this incident.”

Meanwhile, hospital medical sources said that there was an ongoing dispute between the management and medical consultants over the past couple of weeks.

The situation had aggravated following a management decision to impose a 10% charge on consultation fees. As a result private channelling of the hospital was stopped demanding removal of the Chairman and another board director.

However, suspended surgeries had to be resumed on last Saturday following the admission of Parliamentarian Duminda Silva, who sustained gunshot injuries during an election clash that also killed former MP Bharatha Lakshman Premachandra.

Hospital sources presume Minister Sirisena had decided to resolve the matter that was neglected for a while to please the medical staff for attending to treat Parliamentarian Silva despite their decision to boycott specialised treatments – and also expecting better care during MP Silva’s stay in the hospital.

Various attempts to contact Health Minister Sirisena and Deputy Minister Lalith Dissanayake were unsuccessful. Secretary, Ministry of Health Dr. Ravindra Ruberu said he was unaware of the decision and unable to comment on the matter as he was on leave. Additional Secretary Medical Services Dr. P.G. Mahipala could not be reached for a comment.