2. Model of Health care in Sri Lanka
Structure
• Centralized Structure: Sri Lanka has a centralized health
system that is primarily managed by the Ministry of Health,
Nutrition, and Indigenous Medicine.
• Provincial Health Services: Health services are also provided
at the provincial level through Provincial Ministries of Health.
3. Primary Health Care:
• Network of Health Centers: The country has an extensive
network of primary health care centers, including rural hospitals,
central dispensaries, and community-based clinics.
• Preventive Care: Primary health care focuses on preventive
measures, maternal and child health, and disease control.
Hospitals:
• Tertiary Care Hospitals: Major hospitals, such as the Colombo
National Hospital and Teaching Hospitals, provide tertiary care
services and advanced medical treatment.
• District and Base Hospitals: District and base hospitals serve
as secondary-level facilities.
4. Disease Control:
• Epidemiological Surveillance: Sri Lanka has a robust system
for monitoring and controlling diseases, with a focus on
infectious diseases.
• Immunization Programs: Immunization programs are in place
to prevent the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases.
Public Health Initiatives:
• Public Health Campaigns: Sri Lanka has implemented various
public health campaigns to address issues like malaria, dengue,
and other communicable diseases.
• Nutrition Programs: Initiatives to address malnutrition and
improve overall nutrition are part of public health efforts.
5. Introduction of Health Financing
• Sri Lanka, a lower-middle-income country in South Asia,
has recognized the importance of collaborative efforts and
financing alliances to enhance its healthcare system.
Financing alliances in the country aim to address
healthcare disparities, improve service delivery, and
achieve universal health coverage (UHC).
6. Objectives of the Financing Alliance
for Health
• Enhancing Access: The primary goal is to ensure that all Sri
Lankans, regardless of their socio-economic status or location,
have access to quality healthcare services.
• Health Infrastructure Development: Financing alliances
support the development and maintenance of healthcare
infrastructure, including hospitals, clinics, and medical facilities.
• Health Equity: Promote equitable access to healthcare
services, reducing disparities in health outcomes across
different populations.
• Disease Prevention and Control: Allocate resources to
combat prevalent diseases, enhance preventive measures, and
improve public health.
7. Funding Sources
• The financing alliance for health in Sri Lanka derives funds from various
sources, including:
• Government Budget: A significant portion of funding comes from the
government's annual budget allocation to the healthcare sector.
• International Donors: Sri Lanka receives financial assistance from
international organizations and donor countries to support healthcare
initiatives, research projects, and infrastructure development.
• Private Sector Contributions: The private sector, including
pharmaceutical companies and healthcare providers, may contribute to
financing alliances through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
• Health Insurance: Contributions from individuals and employers who
purchase private health insurance policies help fund healthcare services.
• User Fees: Some healthcare facilities may collect user fees, which
contribute to financing alliance resources
8.
9.
10. Public Healthcare Financing
• The government of Sri Lanka plays a central role in healthcare
financing through its budget allocation. Key aspects of public
healthcare financing include:
• Budget Allocation: The government allocates a significant portion
of its annual budget to the healthcare sector, which includes salaries
for healthcare workers, infrastructure development, and procurement
of medical supplies and equipment.
• Taxes: A significant portion of healthcare financing comes from
general taxation, including income tax, value-added tax (VAT), and
various other indirect taxes.
• Donor Funding: Sri Lanka also receives aid from international
organizations and donor countries to support healthcare initiatives
and projects.
11. Private Healthcare Financing
• Private healthcare financing in Sri Lanka primarily involves
private health insurance and out-of-pocket payments:
• Private Health Insurance: A growing number of Sri Lankans
opt for private health insurance, which covers a wide range of
medical services. Both individuals and employers contribute to
these premiums.
• Out-of-Pocket Payments: A substantial portion of healthcare
expenses is paid directly by individuals when they seek
healthcare services. This can be a significant financial burden,
particularly for those with low incomes.
13. How did Sri Lanka Respond to Covid-19 ?
• In mid-March 2020, China loaned Sri Lanka US$500 million to spend on
COVID19 control efforts.
• In April, the European Union provided 22 million euros to boost the health,
agriculture, and tourism sectors and Japan provided US$1.2 million
through the United Nations Children’s Fund, the International Organization
for Migration, and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies.
• Emergency funding from the Asian Development Bank (US$110
million) strengthened public health services in the face of pandemic
challenges.
• The Asian Development Bank also loaned Sri Lanka an additional
US$150 million to buy vaccines as part of the Asia Pacific Vaccine
Access Facility.
14. Challenges in Healthcare Financing
• Despite having a relatively strong healthcare system, Sri Lanka
faces several challenges in healthcare financing:
• Uneven Distribution: Healthcare resources are often concentrated
in urban areas, leaving rural populations with limited access to
quality healthcare services.
• Out-of-Pocket Payments: High out-of-pocket payments can lead to
financial hardship for many Sri Lankans and hinder access to
healthcare, especially for the economically disadvantaged.
• Rising Healthcare Costs: As healthcare technology advances, the
cost of medical treatments and procedures increases, putting
additional pressure on the healthcare financing system.
15. Potential Improvements
• To address these challenges, Sri Lanka can consider various
improvements in healthcare financing:
• Increased Government Funding: The government should allocate
a larger share of the budget to healthcare to reduce reliance on out-
of-pocket payments and improve access to care.
• Health Insurance Reforms: Expanding the reach and affordability
of health insurance can reduce the financial burden on individuals
and improve healthcare access.
• Infrastructure Development: Investments in healthcare
infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, can help distribute
healthcare resources more evenly.
• Cost-Effective Practices: Implementing cost-effective healthcare
practices and technologies can help control rising healthcare costs.
16. Impact
• The financing alliance for health in Sri Lanka has made
significant strides in improving healthcare access, reducing
disease burden, and promoting health equity. Key impacts
include:
• Improved life expectancy and reduced maternal and child
mortality rates.
• Enhanced infrastructure, including the construction of modern
hospitals and clinics.
• Successful disease control programs that have reduced the
prevalence of communicable diseases.
• Progress towards achieving UHC and reduced financial barriers
to healthcare access.
17. Conclusion
• Sri Lanka's healthcare financing system is a critical
component of its healthcare system, ensuring that the
population has access to essential medical services. While
the country has made significant progress, challenges
persist, particularly regarding access and affordability.
• By increasing government funding, expanding health
insurance coverage, and investing in infrastructure and
cost-effective healthcare practices, Sri Lanka can continue
to improve its healthcare financing system and provide
better healthcare access to all its citizens.
