The Erste Bank of Austria has provided EUR 9.5 million (over Rs.1.7 billion) interest-free credit facilities to enhance the access to quality and modern healthcare facilities in hospitals in the country. The Government, having recognized the importance, has now been able to provide anesthetic machines, ICU ventilators, blood gas analyzers, endoscopes, operation theatres and mobile lights for identified hospitals in Sri Lanka, the Finance Ministry said.
The objectives of the project are to reduce hospital-acquired infections, ensure access to modern healthcare equipment so as to provide immediate care to the patients whilst reducing the recurrent costs and expenditure to the Government. Accordingly, the people in the entire country will be benefitted through this project by enhancing access to quality healthcare facilities.
The Ministry of Finance and Mass Media Secretary Dr. R. H. S. Samaratunga, the Commercial Counsellor of Austrian Embassy Dr. Oskar Andesner and a representative from the Erste Bank of Austria signed the agreement in this regard at the Ministry of Finance in Colombo.
