Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, the newly appointed Health Minister, has pledged to initiate vital changes in the healthcare system to address the pressing concerns of both healthcare professionals and the public.
In his address to the media, Minister Pathirana acknowledged the ongoing discussions surrounding the state of the current healthcare system. He stressed the need for substantial changes and expressed his commitment to implement these changes, even if it involves personal sacrifices.
The minister made it clear that individual status and privacy would not hinder the decision-making process, emphasizing that these decisions are driven by the overarching goal of improving healthcare, goodwill, ensuring a legacy, and serving the nation.
Furthermore, Minister Pathirana highlighted the challenges posed by the brain drain in the health sector, primarily as a result of economic hardships faced in the past year.
He acknowledged that health sectors often bear the brunt of crises in many countries. He assured the public that he would collaborate closely with the government to create a conducive environment to retain doctors in the country.
Minister Pathirana also pointed out the significant pool of intellectuals in the nation, indicating that their talents are in demand worldwide.
He expressed a desire to facilitate conditions that would encourage these educated individuals to remain in the country, surrounded by family and friends. The minister affirmed his commitment to exploring policy changes within the financial resources available to make this vision a reality.