Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa has revealed that 33 regional hospitals in the Northern Province are currently operating without a single nurse.

He made this disclosure while attending the opening ceremony of the new Outpatient Department (OPD) building at the Nainativu Divisional Hospital, which was officially handed over to the public on 12 July.

The Health Minister assured that these vacancies will be filled with upcoming nursing appointments, adding that steps will be taken to address these critical staff shortages.

The newly inaugurated OPD facility includes an emergency treatment unit, dispensary, vaccination room, dental unit, nurses’ rest area, ECG unit, minor surgery unit, primary care unit, and sanitation facilities.

Commenting during the ceremony, Health Minister Jayathissa noted that this was his first official visit to the Jaffna Peninsula in his capacity as Health Minister and that Nainativu Hospital was the first medical institution he visited there.

He further stated that a detailed plan has been developed over the past few months to establish similar regional health centres across the country.

Highlighting the need for transformation in the country’s healthcare system, the minister said that while global health services have evolved to be more patient-centric, Sri Lanka still largely operates on a doctor-centric model. He stressed that the public is accustomed to travelling long distances to receive medical care, leading to overcrowding at larger hospitals like the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.

He pointed out that properly functioning primary care units in island regions can significantly improve service quality. He also praised the Navy for completing the new OPD building within a short period—a task that, in many cases, would otherwise take over a decade.

Looking ahead, Jayathissa said that patients should not have to wait in queues, and that the ministry intends to introduce appointment systems using modern technology to streamline care delivery.

He also acknowledged weaknesses in the Ministry’s repair and maintenance division, particularly in relation to medical equipment and ambulances. Moving forward, he said, the Ministry will partner with institutions capable of maintaining expensive medical equipment and vehicles to ensure sustainability. He added that arrangements will be made to provide the hospital with the ambulance it requires.