A press release from the High Commission said during a meeting held yesterday between the High Commissioner of India, Ashok K. Kantha, and the Minister of Health Maithripala Sirisena to review bilateral relations between the two countries in the health sector, several important issues of mutual interest were discussed.
The High Commissioner has informed the Minister the Indian government has provided 1.18 billion rupees to construct a 150-bed base hospital at Dickoya, Hatton in plantation country.
Kantha has sought the Minister's assurance to complete the construction of the facility which has commenced in March 2011, on schedule.
Minister Sirisena has assured the High Commissioner that the Government of Sri Lanka would extend full support to the project.
India has also provided grant assistance project to supply medical equipment to the two General Hospitals in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu for which tenders for equipment procurement had already been floated.
In addition, the Indian government has completed a project to supply medical equipment for Jaffna Teaching Hospital in January.
India is also donating a Bhabhatron Radiotherapy Machine to the Hambantota General Hospital for cancer treatment. The High Commissioner urged the Minister to take necessary measures to prepare the facility for housing the machine since it was ready to be provided.
Discussing the recent issue of Indian companies providing substandard pharmaceuticals to Sri Lanka, the High Commissioner has said that India had a well-established and vibrant pharmaceuticals industry committed to supplying quality drugs at affordable prices.
The High Commissioner has noted that a careful delineation of technical standards and selection of companies was essential in the tendering process.
Kantha has proposed that a delegation from the Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (PHARMEXCIL) visit Sri Lanka to meet the local health authorities regarding the procedure adopted by the Sri Lankan government for sourcing pharmaceuticals from India.
"This would help in working out a mechanism to prevent substandard and low quality manufacturers from entering the market by exploiting loopholes in the procedures," the High Commissioner has pointed out.
The High Commissioner during the discussions has requested for the details of the companies alleged to have violated tender procedures.
However, there was no discussion during the meeting on any legal action being taken by the Government of India against Indian suppliers, the release said.
The Minister has clarified that the allegation was only against a few companies and not against Indian industry as such.
Kantha has suggested the Minister to visit India to further enhance the cooperation between the two countries in the health sector and the Minister has responded positively to the suggestion.
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