COLOMBO – A proposal to acquire advanced diagnostic services and equipment for the detection of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through a public-private partnership (PPP) model was approved by the Cabinet on Monday (5).
The proposal, presented by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, comes amid a growing demand for higher-level diagnostic services within Sri Lanka’s public health system, driven by the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases and the expansion of comprehensive healthcare services across all levels of care.
Patients seeking diagnostic reports from critical equipment, including CT scanners, MRI scanners, digital subtraction angiography (DSA) units, cardiac catheterisation laboratories, and automated haematology and biochemistry analysers, have faced significant challenges due to limited access and unequal availability across government hospitals.
This has led to patients being subjected to prolonged waiting periods, causing delays in clinical management and treatment, particularly in cases requiring timely diagnosis. The proposal noted that the scarcity of such equipment in the public sector has placed considerable strain on existing facilities, with the situation being further exacerbated by financial constraints affecting the procurement of high-cost diagnostic equipment, as well as the complexity of procedures involved in purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading such technology within the public health system.
In light of the challenges, the Cabinet acknowledged the need to explore alternative mechanisms to ensure timely and equitable access to essential diagnostic services.
The approved proposal allows for the acquisition of diagnostic services and equipment under a suitable public-private partnership framework, following established procurement procedures, subject to a performance-based payment scheme. The latter is aimed at ensuring efficiency, accountability, and value for money while improving access to advanced diagnostic services for patients within the public healthcare system.
-ENCL
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