A new initiative to strengthen primary healthcare and bring quality medical services closer to communities has officially begun with the construction of 10 new Arogya Health and Wellness Centres across the country.
Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa laid the foundation stone for the Kalutara South centre today (1), which is expected to provide healthcare services to around 7,000 people in surrounding areas.
Each centre has been allocated Rs. 50 million for construction. The 10 centres are expected to be completed by December, while construction of another 25 centres is scheduled to begin in October.
A total of Rs. 1.5 billion has been allocated for the programme this year and Rs. 2 billion for next year. Healthcare services are already being provided through 39 Arogya Health and Wellness Centres.
The programme focuses on bringing healthcare closer to communities, with greater attention to disease prevention, non-communicable diseases, mental health, nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
