While the crisis in the healthcare sector is no secret, thus far, the discussion on the fate of the healthcare system was largely based on the lack of medicines and medical equipment and doctors leaving the country in droves. Despite the Government’s attempts to remedy those situations, with the recent spate of incidents where responsibility, accountability and competency on the part of the health authorities and healthcare sector professionals were questioned, the people’s concerns are now focused on those managing the healthcare sector, especially the public healthcare sector.

While these concerns have been brewing for some time in a context where several incidents of alleged doctors’ negligence have been reported during the past few months, some of which allegedly cost patients their limbs and even lives, those concerns morphed into national level protests following the incident where a child died after doctors of the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children removed both the kidneys of the child, which was said to be an accident. The case where an Indian made eye drop caused serious infections in and affected the eyesight of several patients made the situation worse. The report of the expert committee that was appointed to investigate the recent incidents of drug allergies and their after effects was submitted to the authorities this week. Although the report was not publicised, the conclusions and a number of recommendations contained in the report were publicised by the Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. 

Of them, one recommendation seeks to remedy the lack of knowledge which has continued for decades. In this regard, the report recommended that a mechanism be established to raise awareness about allergies and the safe use of medicines and antibiotics with a focus on grades 10 and 11 students from across the country. In addition, it also recommended that a similar mechanism be established to educate media personnel and the public. While the specifics of this recommendation are yet to be revealed, it can be suggested that in addition to anaphylaxis related concerns, the authorities should pay attention to the misuse of antibiotics, which has been on the rise globally. Over the counter medicines should receive special attention, as that is a key reason why the procurement of antibiotics has become easier than before which has affected the responsibility related aspect of selling and purchasing antibiotics. As the recommendations outlined, there are a number of steps that the authorities must take in this regard, which the authorities should realise that it cannot wait.

Private hospitals also play an influential role in this discussion, although their role does not receive sufficient attention. Almost all recent incidents which questioned the doctors’ performance and the standards of the healthcare sector were reported from public hospitals, and even the prevailing scare and opposition concerning healthcare services relate to the public healthcare sector. Does that mean that no such incidents of negligence are ever reported from the private healthcare sector? This is a question we need to ask because most medical experts who work in the private healthcare sector work in the public healthcare sector as well. While we do not have enough reasons to suggest that such incidents are being reported from the private healthcare sector, in a context where the role and influence of the private healthcare sector has become more serious than before, we cannot rule out the probability of incidents of negligence in the private healthcare sector. Regardless, since there is a need to further streamline the private healthcare sector, which has been confirmed by a number of parties, the health authorities need to pay attention to improving the existing monitoring mechanisms applicable for the private healthcare sector.

Sri Lanka has a reputation for appointing but ignoring the recommendations and decisions of committees, commissions and various such groups. However, in the current context, the country cannot afford to continue such behaviour anymore, as it could literally cost lives. The Government, especially the health authorities, should take these recommendations seriously. While the mere implementation of these policies is not going to save the healthcare sector, their proper implementation could result in substantial changes in the people’s health and the burden on the healthcare sector, especially in terms of non-communicable diseases. Even though some of these recommendations take time and financial resources, all that the implementation of certain recommendations requires is policy decisions, which can be achieved through several rounds of discussions between the health authorities and the relevant experts. There is no excuse to delay such steps, which are a need of the hour.