Private sector support vital to develop healthcare - Rienzie WIJETILLEKE

The private sector cannot run hospitals in provinces due to lack of investments, resources and the inability of patients to afford costly medication, said Director, Nawaloka Hospitals PLC, Rienzie Wijetilleke.

He was speaking at a ceremony on Tuesday to launch the new Nawaloka Hospital complex in Colombo.

Wijetilleke said the government should take the lead and encourage the private sector to expand healthcare services to other regions.

"The government alone cannot provide the best services for the people.

The support of the private sector is essential to develop the healthcare sector of the country", he said.

A country cannot develop without a healthy generation. People have to be in the best of health to contribute to the growth of the country. Development in the hospital sector should ensure better services for the people.

He said it was the vision and foresight of the Chairman of the Nawaloka Hospitals H. K. Dharmadasa that made him join the group as a director to serve the sick.

Referring to the impact of the global financial crisis on the hospital sector, he said the world has to brave the challenges and go ahead. Businesses have to be sustained for the sake of the next generation.

General Manager, Nawaloka Hospitals, Prof. Lal Chandrasena said the hospital sector is expanding and the need to keep pace with advancing technology is challenging.

The new hospital complex built at a cost of Rs. 1.5 billion will be opened on November 17.

LF