Patients in Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system are facing severe difficulties due to prolonged delays in accessing essential diagnostic tests, including CT scans, MRIs, cardiac MRIs, and angiograms, according to a leading doctors’ group.
The Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA) has warned that these delays at major State hospitals are driving increasing numbers of patients toward private healthcare providers where costs are often unaffordable.
“Patients are being forced to pay nearly Rs. 30,000 even for basic scans, while more complex radiology tests can exceed Rs. 100,000. This situation is unbearable, especially for cancer patients, heart patients, kidney patients, and others who require regular, urgent care,” said Dr Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the MCPA.
Dr Sanjeewa noted a range of systemic issues contributing to the crisis, including poorly maintained equipment, failure to renew maintenance contracts, delays in procurement, and the use of outdated machines.
He also pointed to monopolies held by certain private companies over medical technology and ongoing payment disputes related to the issuance of digital test results.
The problem, he noted, is not new. “This has been going on for years. Despite repeated appeals to the Health Ministry Secretary and other officials, no meaningful action has been taken,” he said.
Highlighting the government’s current focus on constructing new hospitals, Dr Sanjeewa added that building new facilities won’t solve anything if existing hospitals are left to deteriorate.
Leave a comment