Drug-related problems are not the only problem in the health sector and both former and current health ministers have tended to view health issues narrowly, focusing primarily on drug-related problems, said Colombo National Hospital Deputy Director (NHC) Dr. Rukshan Bellana.
Addressing the media, he said that the current and former health ministers are walking on the same path when considering health issues.
“Drugs are not the only problem in the country’s health sector. Health administration in hospitals has deteriorated. Hospitals cannot treat patients without following the rules. The Ministry of Health is useless if it cannot understand the problems faced by patients. He said.
“We should prioritize a patient-centric hospital management system, moving away from an employee-centric approach,” he added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Bellana said that he has not yet received a notice from the Ministry of Health or the hospital director to terminate his service. .
“The Ministry of Health can remove me anytime, I am ready to accept that and the pension, but I have not yet received such notification from any other party, so I am still engaged in hospital duties,” said Dr Bellana.
“I have the support of 80 to 90 percent of the staff at NHC, and I am able to run the administrative work of the hospital, but the rest of the staff are involved in drug trafficking, so I cannot get support,” he said.
Finally, Dr. Bellana expressed his gratitude to the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA), Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) and Public Service United Nurses Union (PSUNU) for supporting him directly or indirectly in this situation.