|
|
 |
 |
| Sunday, 16 November 2003 |
 |
|
 |
News |  |
| News Business Features Editorial
|
Medical ombudsman for health sector by Shanika Sriyananda Do Sri Lankans know where to go for medical treatment or which doctors to consult? More importantly, are they aware of their rights and where to lodge complaints when their rights are breached? Patients' rights, an issue constantly ignored by the medical profession will figure prominently in Sri Lanka's first ever patient friendly Health Master Plan scheduled to be submitted for Cabinet approval shortly. The outcome of 25 studies covering all aspects of the health sector, the Plan calls for the establishment of an ombudsman system to hear patient's grievances and offer relief, and seeks to initiate an islandwide campaign to empower patients to fight for their rights. The master plan, designed to address the new and complex demands and challenges for the next 10 years, has four strategic objections; to ensure delivery of comprehensive health services, which reduce the disease burden and promote health, to improve human resources for health development and management, to improve health financing, resource allocation and utilization and to strengthen stewardship and management functions of the health system. Dr. Thushara Fernando, Director (Planning), Ministry of Health, Nutrition and Welfare said that the Ombudsman system could play a vital role in solving the problems of patients as well as health-care workers, and also grant them relief. " However, to make the system more efficient, key issues such as identification of health related human rights, problems encountered, possible solutions to problems, necessary legislation and regulation and infrastructure and manpower should be addressed", he said. The Plan drafted with the goal of strengthening health system to improve facilities for the people, is expected to help achieve the highest attainable health status by responding to people's needs while ensuring access to comprehensive, high quality, equitable, cost effective and sustainable health service. Work on the Plan commenced in 2002, with financial and technical assistance from the World Bank and the JAICA. Over 100 local and Japanese experts participated in the study, with the consultations of district and provincial stakeholder. Under the strategic framework of the Master Plan, a comprehensive national health service plan has been prepared to provide primary, secondary and tertiary care. This will enable the Ministry to divert financial allocations according to identified requirements at provincial, district and divisional levels. The Master Plan also seek to improve human resources in the state health sector, healthcare in conflict areas and estate sector as well. |
|
News | Business | Features
| Editorial | Security Produced by Lake House |
