The government has launched a new mechanism to strengthen the coordination of healthcare services at district level, aimed at improving efficiency in the delivery of preventive and curative health services across the country.

Under the proposal presented by Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Members of Parliament will be appointed as District Health Coordination Officers covering all districts in Sri Lanka.

The initiative seeks to enhance coordination between central government and provincial health institutions, while addressing existing inefficiencies in resource allocation and service delivery.

According to the Health Ministry, the decision follows challenges identified in the current system, where coordination gaps between central government-run and provincial council managed health facilities have impacted the effective identification and implementation of local health priorities.

Under the new framework, the appointed coordinators will be responsible for identifying district-level health needs with public participation, prioritising those needs, and integrating them into national and provincial health plans.

They will also facilitate coordination between health institutions, support implementation of ministry-led development initiatives, recommend priority projects to the Ministry and monitor ongoing projects to ensure timely completion.

The Ministry further stated that fragmentation between administrative systems had previously resulted in inefficiencies, including poor coordination and limited reflection of grassroots health requirements in national planning.

Authorities have stated that the new structure is expected to improve the quality, efficiency, and responsiveness of healthcare services provided to the public.