Health ministry to regulate private hospital charges

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Minister of Health, Dr Rajitha Senaratne says, a decision has been reached to regulate the prices charged at Private Hospitals for medical services. Issuing a communique, the Ministry of Health says, a majority of issues in the Health service have been resolved with the removal of the Value Added Tax imposed on Medical services. The Minister further noted that prices of expensive pharmaceutical drugs used to cure cancer will also be reduced from next month. According to Dr Senaratne it has been decided to revise the prices charged at Private Hospitals inline with the reduction in prices of pharmaceutical drugs. The Minister emphasized that the required steps will be taken to eradicate the medical drug mafia.