Hon. (Dr.) Nalinda Jayatissa
2026-02-19
Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, responding on behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media, provided official figures on the shortage of hospital attendants in government hospitals. Of the required attendant complement, 3,428 are currently serving against a shortfall of 2,838. To address this, 1,000 attendant posts have been partially filled through interviews with appointments in progress, and approval has been sought to recruit an additional 710 attendants through open competitive examination. The Ministry noted that no fixed patient-to-attendant ratio can be established due to variation across hospitals and treatment units, and that patients may independently engage private attendants at their own expense.
Mr. Speaker, I also respond on behalf of the Minister of Health and Mass Media regarding the shortage of attendants in Government hospitals.
(a)
(i) The number of attendants (male/female) serving in hospitals under the Central Government is 3,428.
(ii) Yes.
(iii) The shortage is 2,838.
(iv) A fixed patient-to-attendant ratio cannot be specified, as it varies by hospital, treatment unit, and patient condition.
(b)
(i) Patient care services are managed with existing attendants; obtaining private external attendants for payment is at the patient’s personal discretion.
(ii) Not applicable.
(c) Recruitment has been conducted on a limited basis for 1,000 attendant posts; suitable candidates have been selected via interviews and appointments are being processed. In addition, approval has been sought to recruit 710 attendants through an open competitive process.
(d) Does not arise.