Discharge delays fuel public dissatisfaction: Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa says

Colombo, April 7 (Daily Mirror) - Growing delays in hospital discharge procedures are fueling public dissatisfaction with Sri Lanka’s health system, Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.

He said patients who have completed inpatient treatment are often forced to remain in hospitals for several additional hours due to late issuance of diagnosis cards, documents required for discharge, despite being medically cleared earlier in the day.

This administrative bottleneck, he warned, is placing a heavy burden on patients and their families, particularly those traveling from distant areas. Many are left struggling to arrange transport late in the evening, while others incur significant costs hiring vehicles for critically ill or partially recovered patients.

Dr. Sanjeewa highlighted that the issue is not due to a lack of medical personnel, noting that many hospitals have intern doctors who could assist in speeding up the process if proper administrative decisions are taken.

He called for a structured discharge system that enables patients cleared in the morning to leave earlier in the day, reducing unnecessary waiting times and easing congestion in hospital wards.

The union leader further urged hospital authorities to address the issue in consultation with specialist doctors and warned that continued delays could deepen public frustration with the country’s healthcare administration.

He also called on the President and the Minister of Health to intervene urgently and implement practical solutions to improve efficiency in hospital discharge procedures.