Free liquid milk for patients in State hospitals

by Carol Aloysius

The Health Ministry will distribute fresh liquid milk to patients in State hospitals. The innovative project is expected to be launched shortly. “Initially, we have selected a few hospitals as a pilot project and hope to extend this facility to all State hospitals across the country”, Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) spokesman Dr. Nalinda Herath told the Sunday Observer.

He said the decision to launch this project follows a discussion the GMOA had with the Health Secretary recently to discuss their 10 recommendations.

“The Health Ministry decided to promote liquid milk at present and the GMOA has pledged its fullest co-operation," he said.

He said that stickers on certain powdered milk products had been found in many supermarkets stating “Safe” marked on them. “Many of these products were of certain leading imported brands that had run into controversy earlier. If the Ministry permits this it would negate the promotion of fresh liquid milk”, he said. “Having brought this to their notice, we are glad that steps are now being taken to remove the stickers”, he said.

According to Health Ministry sources, discussions are under way to ensure a regular supply of fresh milk to hospital inmates from the National Livestock Board and the Association of Milk Producers.