The Ministry of Health has taken steps to launch a special programme aimed at providing in-patients at government hospitals with high-quality, nutritious, and appetising meals.

According to the Ministry, the pilot project of this initiative will be launched today (6 January) at the Apeksha Hospital, Maharagama.

A key feature of the programme is the introduction of a compartmentalised dinner plate, where rice, vegetables, mallum, meat, fish, eggs, and other food items are served separately, replacing the traditional single-plate meal currently provided to patients.

Medical professionals note that meals prepared and presented in this manner can immediately stimulate patients’ appetite and make eating more pleasant, which is considered beneficial for recovery.

In line with the initiative, a modern kitchen facility capable of preparing meals for up to 2,000 patients at a time has been established at the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital. The facility will be officially opened today in parallel with the launch of the programme.

The Ministry said the facility has been named the “Food and Beverage Department,” instead of the conventional term kitchen.

Relevant staff have also been provided with specialised training in modern food preparation and presentation techniques.

The Ministry of Health plans to expand this programme to government hospitals islandwide in the future.