The Government of Japan through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has agreed to grant Sri Lanka four billion rupees (approximately US$ 33 million) to improve healthcare services in the country.
The Additional Secretary to the Health Ministry Dr. Palitha Mahipala along with several Ministry officials and the representatives of JICA held a special discussion yesterday at the Ministry on the provision of the grant.
Under the program one billion rupees will be allocated for modernizing the buildings of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and for the purchase of new equipment to locally manufacture drugs.
The remaining funds will be used to upgrade four rural hospitals and to provide 124 ambulances for a number of rural hospitals.
The Galgamuwa, Theldeniya, Kalawanchikudy and Warakapola rural hospitals are slated to be developed under the grant assistance.
The Ministry of Health says the JICA aid programme aims to enhance the Sri Lankas efforts to produce its medicinal requirements within the country.