A major healthcare shift as Cabinet clears a public–private partnership to rapidly expand life saving dialysis services across government hospitals, easing pressure on kidney patients nationwide.
The Cabinet has approved a joint venture between government hospitals and private hospitals to expand dialysis services, responding to a growing national health need.
Although dialysis facilities are currently available in 80 government hospitals, health authorities have identified that existing capacity is no longer sufficient to meet rising clinical demand. The increasing number of kidney patients and long waiting times have highlighted the urgent need to strengthen dialysis services across the country.
Taking into account the positive experience gained from a similar programme implemented at the Kandy National Hospital, the Ministry of Health and Mass Media has proposed adopting a Public Private Partnership model for selected government hospitals. This approach is expected to improve access to dialysis treatment while maintaining clinical standards within the public healthcare system.
Under the proposed framework, private sector partners will be responsible for fully financing and managing dialysis machines, reverse osmosis systems, required consumables, as well as ongoing operation and maintenance. The government will provide hospital infrastructure and ensure full clinical supervision, safeguarding patient care and medical oversight.
Accordingly, the Cabinet approved the proposal submitted by the Minister of Health and Mass Media to proceed with the PPP methodology to expand dialysis services in identified government hospitals. The decision aims to ease the burden on kidney patients and strengthen healthcare delivery through collaboration between the public and private sectors.
