Exorbitant charges driving patients away from pvt. healthcare providers – Keheliya, GMOA

Private Hospitals Association demands to know basis of Minister’s assertion

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Government hospitals struggling to cope up with shortage of medicine, essential equipment as well as disruption of supplies for want of funds are likely to face a significant increase in the number of patients next year.

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella recently asserted government hospitals were likely to experience a 25% to 30% increase in the number of patients next year. Rambukwella said so at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Health.

Addressing the Consultative Committee, in his capacity as the Chairperson, Minister Rambukwella warned of a sharp increase in the number of patients at government hospitals as the middle income category found it difficult to seek treatment at private hospitals.

Among those present at the meeting were Minister Naseer Ahamed, State Ministers, (Dr.) Seetha Arambepola, and Sisira Jayakody and MPs Dr. Rajitha Senarathne, Mahindananda Aluthgamage, Ashok Abeysinghe, Weerasumana Weerasinghe and Sivagnanam Shritharan

The Consultative Committee discussed the crisis against the backdrop of government hospitals unable to meet the growing demand due to the forex crisis. Lawmakers expressed concerns over the public being forced to obtain treatment at private hospitals as the government couldn’t meet the emergency situation according to the Consultative Committee.

Responding to concerns with regard to the shortage of medicines raised by members of the Consultative Committee, Minister Rambukwella has disclosed the utilization of USD 28 mn grant, provided by China, to procure 14 essential medicines. Director Legislative Services, Janakantha Silva, quoted Minister Rambukwella as having said that in addition to USD 200 mn allocated to cater to the needs of the health sector, the Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for an additional USD 35 mn for the same purpose.

The Island sought the response of K.A.A.P. Kuruppuarachchi and Sunil Ratnapriya, the President and the Secretary of the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes yesterday (30), questioned the basis for Minister Rambukwella’s declaration in the absence of any study or survey on the issues at hand.

They explained that it wouldn’t be fair to comment on the Minister’s assertion without knowing the basis he made that particular comment. However, the increase in charges at hospitals and nursing homes, affiliated to the Association, should be examined, taking into consideration the escalation of everything, including medicine, equipment as well as all services.

Responding to another query, the spokespersons emphasized that there was absolutely no basis for claims that excessive charges caused a drop in patients at private hospitals and nursing homes. Kuruppuarachchi pointed out in fact for want of medicine and other required services, some moved to private hospitals from state run hospitals. Actually they didn’t have any other option, Kuruppuarachchi said urging all those concerned to be cautious as the crisis experienced by the health sector couldn’t be taken in isolation.

Kuruppuarachchi underscored the need to take into consideration the increase in charges of electricity, water and other utilities due to unprecedented devaluation of the Rupee this year. The situation remained unpredictable and quite volatile, therefore no one could predict where we were heading, he said.

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) agreed with Minister Rambukwelle’s warning. Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said that government hospitals had experienced a significant increase in the number of people seeking treatment. The numbers would definitely go up and there was no point in denying the impending crisis, Dr. Sugathadasa said, drawing the attention of the powers that be of the difficulties experienced by the hapless public owing to the debt crisis.

Dr. Sugathadasa said that the situation was so bad some people had no option but to postpone taking treatment as they didn’t have the means to do so.