President Dissanayake announces healthcare strengthening plan

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has announced a plan to strengthen Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector through three primary pillars: increasing the accessibility of free healthcare, introducing advanced medical equipment and methods, and establishing a formal management system.

Speaking at the commencement of construction for a modern cardiac care unit at the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, the President noted that human resources for healthcare have also been improved. The new eight-story cardiac unit is being constructed with a cost of 3,545 million LKR, funded by a loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This facility will provide free access to advanced cardiac and cardiothoracic surgical services, including coronary care, ICU, catheterization labs, and specialized diagnostic facilities.

Furthermore, the President revealed that additional development projects for the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital, valued at approximately 19,000 million LKR, are planned for 2027 and 2028. Including current initiatives, the total investment for the hospital's development is expected to exceed 34,000 million LKR.