A full audit should be conducted before the commencement of work at the Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Ministry, newly appointed Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Minister Chamal Rajapaksa said.
Assuming duties at his Ministry in Colombo yesterday, he said that an audit should be conducted on the work carried out by the ministry, including media reports published on various alleged malpractices in the Ministry.
“An independent full audit should be conducted,” Minister Rajapaksa said.
Minister Rajapaksa pointed out that a modern hospital constructed at Hambantota with Dutch assistance three years ago is still not in operation.
This hospital building has become a nesting ground for bats.
“I went to see a patient receiving treatment at the Galle General Hospital but could not find the location of the patient after walking here and there for a long time.
“I had to jump from one flight of steps to another staircase to enter the hospital building,” Minister Rajapaksa said.
“ These flight of steps are very steep which could be a great hindrance to the aged and infirm. An old person runs the risk of falling and getting injured while climbing the stairs. I visited another hospital to see a cancer patient and it looked like a ‘Bootha Guhawa’ (haunted den), the Minister said.