Over 25,000 heart patients await surgery, tests
More than 25,000 patients, across Sri Lanka, are currently on waiting lists for heart surgeries, major surgical procedures and essential medical tests, with some heart surgery lists reportedly extending until 2029. The situation has raised concerns over the Government’s efforts to address the growing backlog in the State healthcare system, said President of the Doctors’ […]
Over 25,000 heart patients in Sri Lanka are currently waiting for surgery and essential medical tests, with some heart surgery lists extending until 2029, according to the Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights. President of the alliance, Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, expressed concern over the government’s efforts to tackle the growing backlog in the state healthcare system.
Speaking at a press conference in Colombo, Dr. Sanjeewa regretted that a government program to use funds from the President’s Fund to reduce hospital waiting lists hadn’t been implemented yet. He pointed out that the situation was especially tough for low-income patients who could not afford private hospital treatment while having to endure lengthy waits at state hospitals.
Dr. Sanjeewa suggested that increasing allocations from the President’s Fund could help patients awaiting surgery at government hospitals access treatment at private hospitals at set rates. He also recommended expanding the number of trained specialists, improving hospital facilities and increasing the availability of surgical and diagnostic equipment to prevent further growth in waiting lists.
The extension of some heart surgery waiting lists to 2029 highlights the severity of the challenge faced by Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system, with patients potentially facing significant delays in receiving medically urgent procedures.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
