Private hospitals and clinics to come under scrutiny?

• Calls for the creation of a formal mechanism to address public complaints against private hospitals — including an online platform to lodge grievances and ensure timely redress
• Recommends introducing a fair and affordable charge structure while grading all private medical institutions across the country to ensure consistency and transparency

By Sheain Fernandopulle

The Health Ministry has reportedly expressed concern following the release of an audit report that calls for an urgent overhaul of Sri Lanka’s private healthcare system, citing the need for fair pricing, standardized regulation, and improved patient care. The report has recommended introducing a fair and affordable charge structure while grading all private medical institutions across the country to ensure consistency and transparency.   
It has also proposed the establishment of a formal methodology to set, monitor, and evaluate standards for all registered private hospitals and clinics.   In addition, the audit stresses the importance of enforcing minimum qualifications for medical and administrative staff, maintaining proper training standards, and guaranteeing the quality of services provided to patients.  
It has also called for the creation of a formal mechanism to address public complaints against private hospitals — including an online platform to lodge grievances and ensure timely redress.  
A senior Health Ministry official told the Daily Mirror that the Minister has given special attention to tightening the monitoring and regulation of private health institutions.