Annual Report 2008 - Ministry of Finance and Planning

2. Fiscal Developments - 2008
88
Box 2.3
Financing the Health Sector Contd.
The assistance given for execution of preventive health
programmes were continued with a view to minimize the
challenges posed with epidemiological and demographic
transition.
Programmes Conducted on Preventive Health, 2008
No
Category
2007 2008
Mobile Clinics conducted on Malaria 2,285 1,697
Human vaccines used for dog bites
under Rabies control programme 317,945 343,611
(VIALS)
Clinic sessions conducted on STD/
15,573 15,515
HIV/AIDS
Source: Ministry of Healthcare and Nutrition
A greater emphasis was given to combat the vector borne
viral fever outbreak called ‘Chikungunya’ detected largely
in the Ratnapura District in 2008. As an emergency relief,
funds amounting to Rs.138 million were provided to procure
equipment for hospitals and for mosquito control activities
in the District. A special provision was also provided for
effective continuation of the Rabies Control Progmramme
by vaccinating 134,366 stray dogs and sterilizing 119,084
dogs in 2008.
National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol was established
under the Act No. 27 of 2006 to reduce the habit of smoking
and drinking of alcohol among public where the ultimate
objective is to promote a healthy nation.
Economic Benefits of Health
Sri Lanka has been able to maintain impressive health
indicators during the last few decades at par with some
of the medium developed countries in the South East Asia
region. In this regard, Sri Lanka’s health achievements
with the per capita expenditure on health are noteworthy
during the past years. As an outcome of the policy of free
health care, improved public health spending which has
enhanced quality of care over the years has led Sri Lanka
to attain impressive health indicators ranking in the 99th
position of Human Development Index (HDI) under the rank
of Medium Human Development while standing at 0.743 of
HDI in medium human development status in 2005 (Human
Development Report, 2007/2008).
Basic Health Indicators
Indicator 2000 2004 2008
Life expectancy at
birth (years)
72 74.3 74.3
Maternal Mortality/
100,000 live births
47 38 N.A
Infant Mortality/ 1,000
live births
12.2 11.2 11.2
Under 5 mortality/1,000
live births
18.8 14 N.A
Number of Hospitals 581 606 612
Number of Beds in all
hospitals
57,027 59,144 66,835
Doctors / 100,000
41.3 47.3 60.2
Population
Nurses / 100,000
84.4 86.9 99.0
population
Per Capita Health
1,191 1,961 3,500
Expenditure (Rs)
Sources: Ministry of Healthcare & Nutrition, Budget Estimates 2000-
2008 and Human Development Report 2007/2008
Private Sector Participation in Health
Even though the Government provides health services to
every one free of charge, the Government has encouraged
the private sector to participate in the national health
system through establishment of private hospitals which
provide quality healthcare. Since 1992, the Government
has also provided fiscal incentives to private healthcare
investors through tax exemptions on import of machines
and raw materials, income tax relief etc.
Ministry of Finance and Planning Sri Lanka
Annual Report 2008