The ministry of health in Sri Lanka has a critical responsibility of taking care of the health and well being of all citizens. The design and formulation of health care policies and regulations, the introduction of health care programs and the management of hospitals to ensure equitable, affordable and quality health care delivery to all Sri Lankans is in fact the mission of the Ministry. This paper has a detailed overview of the structure, duties of the Ministry, its digital services, specialist recruitment, circulars and others.
Ministry of Health, Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, the most important governmental bodies that are involved with health services are the Ministry of Health. The Ministry with a vision to create a healthier nation contributing to its economic, social, mental, and spiritual development takes a lead in controlling and managing the hospitals, health institutions, and disease control as well as health policy planning.
The Ministry also believes in Universal Health Coverage (UHC), to access and provide important health services in the country and especially in underprivileged and rural areas.
Overview & Contact Details
Core Responsibilities of the Ministry
The Ministry of Health is responsible for a wide array of tasks, such as:
- Policy Development: Framing the national health policy, as well as strategies.
- Hospital Administration: Balancing the 600 plus government hospitals and institutions.
- Disease Control: Establishing national communicable and non-communicable disease programs (e.g. dengue, tuberculosis, diabetes).
- Health Promotion: Conducting sensitisation campaigns in regards to nutrition, sanitation, vaccinations and so on.
- Medical Education: Management of institutions of training for doctors, nurses, among other health personnel.
- Drug Regulation: The safe usage of medicines or drugs through the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).
- Emergency Response: National coordination of actions to health emergencies, such as COVID-19 and natural disasters.
E-Services Offered by the Ministry of Health
To improve public service provision, the Ministry has come up with various e-services as well as online portals which offer convenience, transparency, and efficiency.
1. eChannelling System
Although not directly run by the Ministry, this system is widely used to book appointments with government and private hospital consultants.
2. Online Recruitment Portal
The application process in medical and technical officers is transparent and fair as the Ministry has a special portal where candidates can apply.
3. Digital Health Information System (DHIS)
Internally it is used to store and utilise the data related to public health in order to make decisions and report on it.
4. Vaccine Registrations and Health Alerts
The Ministry introduced online registration of vaccines, updates on the testing sites, and health passes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
5. Online Complaints and Feedback
With the official site of the Ministry, citizens are allowed to give grievances, feedback, or complaints online.
Staff Access and Internal Services
Health sector employees can log in through the Ministry’s internal staff portal to:
- Access HR information
- View salary details and leave balances
- Receive internal circulars and updates
- Access training materials and guidelines
This secure platform supports Specialist Grade Medical Officers, Nurses, Technical Officers, and administrative staff in managing their duties more effectively.
Recruitment of Specialist Grade Medical Officers
One of the critical functions of the Ministry is recruiting Specialist Grade Medical Officers to enhance healthcare services in government hospitals.
Eligibility Criteria:
- An undergraduate degree: a doctorate in medicine in a recognized institution
- Unrestricted registration in the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC)
- Advanced degree in a pertinent field (MD/MS or other types of it)
Application Process:
Advertisements are placed on national newspapers and official web-site of recruitments. The candidates should apply to the online portal or by mails which will be followed by the interview and evaluation process of placements.
Ministry of Health Circulars
Official circulars are regularly released by the ministry in order to have directions on the new policies, administrative reforms, health directions and personnel directions.
These circulars cover:
- New regulations on disease control
- Budget allocations to health departments
- Staff transfers and appointments
- Emergency public health guidelines
You can access the latest circulars on the official website’s ‘Circulars’ section (health.gov.lk).
Health Institutions Under the Ministry
Several institutions operate under or in affiliation with the Ministry:
Each institution plays a key role in delivering specialized services, emergency care, child and maternal health, and research.
Recent Health Campaigns and Programs
Some of the notable ongoing health programs include:
- National Nutrition Program: Fighting child and pregnant women malnutrition.
- National Dengue Prevention Drive: Community based mosquito control and awareness.
- Mental Health Awareness: Support of protection towards mental health issues via helplines and psychological services.
- Suwa Seriya Ambulance Service: 1990 free emergency medical transport island wide.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the contact detail of the ministry of health?
They are contactable over telephone on +94 11 2698507 or through email at info@health.gov.lk.
2. What do I need to do to take a job in the health sector?
Apply online to vacancies through recruitment section in health.gov.lk.
3. Where are the Ministry circulars available?
All official circulars are located on the web site at circulars tab.
4. Which are the free health services given by the government?
Services offered are outpatient care, maternity services, child immunization, screening of diseases, operative procedures and ambulance services.
5. What should I do to obtain verification of my SLMC registration?
You need to have SLMC verification done through Sri Lanka Medical Council, yet you can initiate your process by verifying guidelines displayed by the Ministry.
Final Thoughts
Ministry of health, Sri Lanka, is one such pillar of public good through its encouraging health equity and quality healthcare in the nation. The Ministry also offers comprehensive access to its services whether one is a citizen who wants health services or an individual seeking employment in the medical sector or research on current policies and statistics due to the existence of both physical and online portal through which the information can be accessed by all visitors.