The country needs a successful public-private partnership – Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa
Lanka Hospitals recently (02) introduced two new community-centric care services: Lanka Life Line, a trauma care service, and Lanka Care, its comprehensive home care service. The launch event was graced by the presence of Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Deputy Minister of Tourism, Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe.
Lanka Life Line, the new trauma care service, operates as a 24-hour, continuous response system for patients experiencing trauma (an emotional response to a frightening event such as an accident, crime, or natural disaster). The other newly introduced service, Lanka Care, has been redesigned to facilitate medical care not only at home but also for loved ones living far away. This service provides expert nursing, physiotherapy, medication management, and remote consultations via phone by trained caregivers. It operates with transparency, ensuring patient safety and peace of mind, while working closely with family members.
“Lanka Hospitals introduces two new community-centric care services”
A highlight of the launch of these new community-centric care services was the symbolic handover of the 1,000th Lanka Care membership card to Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. This act symbolized the rapidly growing demand for easily accessible and family-centric healthcare within the community.
Health and Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa pointed out that while Lanka Hospitals is a hospital and treatment centre, it is not an institution under the Ministry of Health. He stated that the primary objective of the government in maintaining healthcare services is to provide all Sri Lankans with equitable access to healthcare, emphasizing that free healthcare ensures fair access.
The Minister further stated that while 1200 government hospitals provide free healthcare services, there should also be a hospital system where people can pay for treatment based on their preference and ability. He added that even if the private sector maintains such a hospital system, the government remains responsible for the health of all citizens since they belong to the state.
The Minister noted that public-private partnerships in Sri Lanka have not been very successful. He highlighted that in countries like China, India, and Singapore, even institutions that appear to be entirely private in sectors like healthcare and others have succeeded through public-private partnerships. He stressed that Sri Lanka needs successful public-private partnerships and that this is a challenge ahead.
In the healthcare sector, the objective of a public-private partnership in an institution like this should not be merely to compete with the private sector. Instead, as an institution connected with the public sector, it should aim to ensure high standards and quality. The Minister stated that if this is achieved, the Ministry of Health can successfully regulate the private sector, and this is the highest goal expected from this hospital.
The Minister also stated that a significant number of patients that government hospitals cannot handle and that the private sector finds difficult to manage are due to the aging population and non-communicable diseases. He emphasized the need for a sustainable solution for this and urged that government programs and public-private partnerships be involved. He noted that accidents account for the highest number of hospitalizations, and that strengthening primary healthcare services, as well as emergency and accident treatment units, could significantly reduce these hospitalizations.
The Minister identified tourism as a key objective for the government. He mentioned that this initiative also includes caring for the families of Sri Lankans going abroad, not just tourists visiting Sri Lanka.
Deputy Minister of Tourism, Professor Ruwan Ranasinghe, commented on the national importance of these two new community-centric care services introduced by Lanka Hospitals and their potential impact across all sectors. He added that such services are very timely actions for achieving targets in the tourism sector.
Adding to the youth appeal of the event, Miss Sri Lanka 2025, Miss Anudi Gunasekara, and Mister Sri Lanka, Megha Suriyaarachchi, participated. Both appreciated the people-centric approach to innovation in the care services launched by the hospital.
The event was attended by a distinguished gathering, including Chaminda Kumarasiri, Group Managing Director of Lanka Hospitals Group, foreign diplomats, leading medical specialists, doctors, nursing professionals, and prominent figures from the field.
