The Government is launching a major project to improve Healthcare across the country by opening 1,000 new Primary Health Centers (PHCs), with the first 100 set to be completed this year.

The goal is to make quality Healthcare more accessible to everyone, especially people in rural areas.

Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced the plan at a consultation meeting and one-day Workshop held at the “Sankathani” Hall of the Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration. He said the Government wants to build all 1,000 Centers within the next two and a half years.

“This will be the main project of the Health service going forward,” said Dr. Jayatissa. “We want to provide a better, more efficient primary Healthcare system for the people of this country.”

Each Center will serve around 5,000 to 7,000 people and will be located within easy reach, ideally within 3 kms, or a 20-minute walk, from people’s homes. The plan is to set up one Health center for every 5 Grama Niladhari Divisions, ensuring that no one is left out.

These Centers will be staffed with a family Doctor, a community health Nurse, a small medical team, and a coordinator. They’ll offer essential services like First Aid, Emergency Care, Health Education, Nutrition Advice, and Disease Prevention. The idea is not just to treat illness but to help people stay healthy.

Dr. Jayatissa also explained that these Centers will be designed to work closely with local communities. By involving community organisations, the Government hopes the Centers will be better equipped to deal with Health issues specific to each area, as well as emergencies. Looking ahead, the Government also plans to create other essential services alongside Healthcare in each local area, including Education, Police, and Agricultural support units starting with Health as the foundation.

Dr. Jayatissa expressed confidence that with everyone in the Health sector working together, the existing annual Health budget of under Rs. 200 billion will be enough to support this plan and solve long-standing issues in areas like Pharmaceuticals and Surgical supplies.

He also reassured the public that the necessary staff and facilities will be provided. New Health workers will be recruited, and those currently in training will be deployed to help run the new Centers.

Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Deputy Director General of Health Dr. Arjuna Thilakaratne, Director of Primary Health. Provincial Dr. Sarathchandra Kumarawansa, District Health Directors, Specialist Doctors, and officials from Planning and community Health divisions also participated at this meeting.