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One of the most cost-effective health systems in crisis owing to corruption, nepotism, cronyism, bungling
Corruption, nepotism, cronyism and mismanagement were the reasons why Sri Lanka’s health system is in crisis, Secretary General of the Asia Pacific Academic Consortium for Public Health (APACPH), Prof. Indika Karunathilake said recently at a televised dicussion.
“This happens at all levels. The system has failed. There are multiple checks and balances in the system to ensure that if something goes wrong at one level, it can be identified and rectified at another. But when these checks and balances are gone, the system collapses. This is what we are seeing now,” he said.
Prof. Karunathilake added a large number of health staffers had been compelled to leave the country, as well.
The Sri Lankan healthcare system is known as one of the most cost-effective systems in the world, Consultant Pediatrician Dr. Ajith Amarasinghe, who also appeared at the discussion, said. Sri Lanka’s per capita expenditure on healthcare is about 400 U.S. dollars a year, he added.
“In the UK, per capita expenditure on healthcare is about USD 4,000 a year. In the U.S its 9,000 dollars. However, Sri Lankan healthcare indices are comparable to the above mentioned developed countries. This excellent system is now facing a crisis. This crisis is not purely due to the economic crisis. The 2023 health budget is double that of 2021 in rupee terms. Even if you take depreciation, the spending has not declined. So, there is no reason for a shortage of drugs or equipment to occur.”
Dr. Amarasinghe said there is also a problem with the quality of drugs distributed in the government and private hospitals.
“The reputation of our system has been tarnished in a very short period of time. How did this happen and who is responsible? People who were in charge of the system in the past few years are responsible. Former Minister Keheliya Rambukwella and his team are responsible. The Minister has been removed,” he said.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Professional Forum of Physicians on Medical and Civil Rights Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said the achievements of the past with regards to health are being dismantled. The meternity mortality, the various indices of the health of children under five, etc., are showing a deterioration, he said.
President-Elect, Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama said the current crisis in the health system is unprecedented.
Dr. Thenuwan Wickramasinghe of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) said patients coming into government hospitals have increased by 40 percent. This is because they can’t afford private healthcare.
“The healthcare system still survives because of the human capital,” he said.
The U.S. Embassy in Colombo welcomed the U.S. Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, former National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) players Stephen Howard and Astou Ndiaye, from June 8 through 14.
The Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy said that it would launch a weeklong basketball program intended to harness the unifying power of sports, made possible through collaboration with Foundation of Goodness and IImpact Hoop Lab.
While in Sri Lanka, Howard and Ndiaye, both retired professional basketball players, will conduct a weeklong program, Hoops for Hope: Bridging Borders through Basketball. The Sports Envoys will lead basketball clinics and exhibition matches and engage in leadership sessions in Colombo and Southern Province for youth aged 14-18 from Northern, Uva, Eastern and Western Provinces, offering skills and leadership training both on and off the court. The U.S. Envoys will also share their expertise with the Sri Lanka Basketball Federation, national coaches, and players, furthering the development of basketball in the country. Beyond the clinics, they will collaborate with Sri Lankan schoolchildren to take part in a community service project in the Colombo area.
“We are so proud to welcome Stephen and Astou as our Sports Envoys to Sri Lanka, to build on the strong people-to-people connections between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said U.S. Ambassador Julie Chung. “The lessons that will be shared by our Sports Envoys – communication, teamwork, resilience, inclusion, and conflict resolution – are essential for leadership development, community building, equality, and peace. The U.S. Sports Envoy program is a testament to our belief that sports can be a powerful tool in promoting peace and unity.”
SJB Colombo District MP Mujibur Rahuman in parliament demanded to know from the government the reasons for CEB suspending the leave of all its employees until further notice from Thursday.
MP Rahuman said that the CEB has got an acting General Manager anew and the latter yesterday morning issued a circular suspending leave of all CEB employees with immediate effect until further notice.
“We demand that Minister Kanchana Wijesekera should explain this to the House. This circular was issued while this debate on the new Electricity Amendment Bill was pending. There are many who oppose this Bill. The Minister must tell parliament the reason for the urge to cancel the leave of CEB employees,” the MP said.However, Speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena prevented Minister Wijesekera responding to the query and said that the matter raised by MP Rahuman was not relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) successfully concluded the 8th Annual CIPM Symposium, which took place on 31st May 2024. Themed “Nurturing the Human Element—Redefining HRM in a Rapidly Changing World,” the symposium underscored the pivotal role of human resource management (HRM) in today’s dynamic global landscape. Since its inception in 1959, CIPM has been dedicated to advancing the HR profession through education, professional development, and advocacy, solidifying its position as Sri Lanka’s leading professional body for HRM.
Ken Vijayakumar, the President of the CIPM, graced the occasion as the chief guest. The symposium commenced with the welcome address by the Chairperson, Prof. Arosha Adikaram, followed by the Web Launch of the Symposium Proceedings and Abstract Book by the CIPM President. The event featured distinguished addresses, including a speech by Chief Guest Ken Vijayakumar, President of CIPM, and an address by Guest of Honor Shakthi Ranatunga, Chief Operating Officer of MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd., Sri Lanka.
The symposium also featured an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Mario Fernando, Professor of Management and Director of the Centre for Cross Cultural Management (CCCM) at the University of Wollongong, Australia.
Vote of Thanks of the inauguration session was delivered by Dr. Dillanjani Weeratunga, Symposium Co-chair.
The symposium served as a comprehensive platform for researchers to present their findings across a wide range of critical topics in HRM. These included Cultural Diversity and Inclusion, Talent Development and Retention, Ethical Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility, Adapting to Technological Advancements, Mental Health and Well-being at Work, Global Workforce Challenges, Employee Empowerment, and Reskilling and Upskilling.
The plenary session was led by Prof. Wasantha Rajapakse. Certificates were awarded to the best paper presenters during the valedictory session, followed by a vote of thanks delivered by Kamani Perera, Manager of Research and Development.
The annual symposium of CIPM was a truly inclusive event, attracting a diverse audience that spanned undergraduates, graduates, working professionals, research scholars and lecturers. This widespread interest highlights the symposium’s significance in the field of HRM, offering a unique opportunity for everyone to network and learn from scholarly brains.The CIPM International Research Symposium was sponsored by Hambantota International Port, Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), E B Creasy & Co. PLC, and Print Xcel Company.
US sports envoys to Lanka to champion youth development
Rahuman questions sudden cancellation of leave of CEB employees
