Health Minister distances himself from Dr. Bellana’s statements

… calls for unity among all categories of workers

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana on Sunday urged all health professionals not to make incendiary statements against each other at a time when they had to come together to revitalise the state health sector.

Responding to questions from journalists on the sidelines of a function in Colombo, Minister Pathirana said that he did not condone the statements made by Dr. Rukshan Bellana, Deputy Director at the Colombo National Hospital about health workers.

Dr. Bellana recently insisted that hospitals only need doctors, nurses, and administrative staff and that a significant number of minor staffers at the Colombo National Hospital are drug addicts and dealers.

“Obviously, I don’t condone these statements. A hospital is a system where everyone needs to come together to make it work. This is a time for unity. People are in a bad spot. So is the country. I urge all health workers to support us,” he said.

The Health Minister said he had asked the Secretary to the Ministry of Health to look into the statements made by Dr. Bellana.

Dr. Bellana was confined to his room last Friday (16) by angry minor staffers.