Jun 04, Colombo: In an effort to combat the high incidences of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country, the Health Ministry of Sri Lanka has taken measures to improve facilities in secondary level hospitals with the assistance of the Government of Japan.

The cabinet on a proposal made by Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena has given approval to use a Japanese funded project of 3.935 billion Yen (US$ 50 million) to enhance the non-communicable disease management through improvement of facilities in secondary level hospitals and drug security.

Preliminary work conducted under a five-year project by the Health Ministry which is now in the process of implementing its strategy of creating awareness on early detection of NCDs has found that many secondary hospitals in the country are generally underutilized due to lack of appropriate facilities.

The government has already signed the Loan agreement with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for the 4.76 billion yen (approximately 8 billion rupees) project for which the government would contribute 825 million yen (approximately 1.4 billion rupees).

Under the program one billion rupees will be allocated for modernizing the buildings of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation and for the purchase of new equipment to manufacture generic drugs locally.

The remaining funds will be used to upgrade four rural hospitals of Galgamuwa, Theldeniya, Kalawanchikudy and Warakapola with the provisions of medical equipment and to provide 124 ambulances for a number of rural hospitals in seven emerging regions excluding Southern and Western provinces.

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