The first Health and Wellness Centre, which was established in the Galle District under the ‘Healthy Sri Lanka’ programme of the Government, was launched last weekend.

Speaking at the opening, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa stated that the health service will be improved to one which prioritises the well-being of the people and ensures accountability, while health professionals are committed to safeguarding public health.

Under this programme, which is implemented under the Government’s innovative programme for a healthy country, 100 primary healthcare centres are scheduled to be opened this year.

The centres, established in convenient and easily-accessible locations, will operate as comprehensive primary healthcare units offering a wide range of essential services.

The minister noted that the health sector has long faced numerous challenges, and emphasised that steps will be taken to address these issues and ensure the sustained protection of public health. He emphasised that the support of the entire community is essential for this initiative and assured that efforts will be made to deliver health services more efficiently through a new system, supported by the deployment of adequate staff to these centres.

These health and wellness centres are scheduled to implement a number of primary healthcare services. These include treatment and counseling for non-communicable diseases, basic surgical procedures, elder care, rehabilitation services, palliative care, primary eye and dental care, mental-health support, nutrition advice, substance-abuse rehabilitation, and youth and adolescent care. Selected laboratory services and community empowerment programmes will also be available.

Each Health and Wellness Centre will be staffed by a dedicated family doctor, a public health nurse, a team of healthcare professionals, and a coordinating officer. In addition, traditional medicine services will be linked to the centres, ensuring that Ayurveda remains an integrated part of national healthcare delivery, Minister Dr. Jayatissa stated.