The National Institute of Infectious Diseases (IDH) will be developed as the Teaching Hospital for Infectious Diseases, Health Minister Dr. Rajitha Senaratne said.
He was addressing the gathering during the award ceremony to appreciate the health staffs who treated dengue patients during the recent dengue outbreak in Colombo.
The Minister said the funds needed for the project would be allocated within six months. He instructed health officials to formulate a plan and submit it to him.
The Minister pointed out the new hospital would strengthen healthcare sector to face any health hazard in future. The hospital boasts 180 beds and could accommodate 600 dengue patients.
"The health field should be improved to face any outbreak of diseases.This year dengue fever was successfully controlled by equipping state hospitals with all required drugs, medical equipment and human resources," the Minister said.