2026-02-17 / Oral Question: Improvement of Health Facilities for Persons with Disabilities

The Hon. (Dr.) Hansaka Wijemuni - Deputy Minister of Health

2026-02-17

The Deputy Minister of Health acknowledged the existence of a communication gap in healthcare services for persons with disabilities, noting that staff training in sign language and other communication methods has already commenced and will be expanded. On the issue of requiring external caregivers for admitted patients with disabilities, the Deputy Minister stated that Ministry policy is for hospital staff themselves to provide necessary care, and that the current practice of insisting on caregivers in some hospitals stems from staff being diverted to minor duties rather than their designated roles. The Ministry is conducting a hospital-by-hospital review to address this administrative problem and work toward a system that eliminates the need for external caregivers.

There is indeed a communication gap; we have already begun staff training on sign language and other communication methods and will expand it. Regarding requiring a caregiver for admitted patients with disabilities: our Ministry’s aim is that hospital staff themselves provide necessary care, without needing an external person. Many hospitals do this, but some insist on a caregiver because staff allocated for that task are diverted to minor duties. This is an administrative issue. We are studying it hospital by hospital and working towards a system where no external person is required.