Sri Lanka to establish 250 health, wellness centers to strengthen preventive care

Alsharq Tribune-AFP 

Sri Lanka will establish 250 health and wellness centers across the country to strengthen preventive healthcare services and reduce pressure on hospitals, the Health Ministry said in a press statement on Sunday.

Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa announced on Saturday while inaugurating 42 new centers under the second phase of a pilot program aimed at setting up 1,000 centers islandwide.

With the latest additions, the total number of operational centers has risen to 47, with authorities planning to connect more than 247,000 people to services provided at the facilities.

Jayatissa said the government also plans to introduce multi-functional medical devices capable of conducting several basic diagnostic tests using a single unit. Advanced diagnostic and treatment equipment will be added in the future.

He noted that the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases has pushed hospital demand beyond existing capacity. Despite investments in modern treatment, such diseases account for 80 to 85 percent of deaths in Sri Lanka.