The priority of the Ministry of Health in 2012 will be to introduce financial and administrative discipline to all sections and institutions under it in order to prevent corruption and mismanagement, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said.

He told the media that many people could get hurt when he attempts to eradicate the corruption that has devoured much resources of the health ministry and added that he was determined to follow through.

“I expect to implement a special programme to discourage tobacco and alcohol among the public as the health ministry spends a vast amount of funds to treat tobacco and alcohol induced non-communicable diseases in addition to road accidents due to drinking and driving,” Minister Sirisena said.

The other prime objective in 2012 would be to legalise the ‘National Drug Policy’ that will bring a huge transformation into the health service with the main focus being on drug imports, production and prescription. There will be a complete overhaul in this sector where all tenders related to the import of drugs will be scrutinised by a cabinet sub-committee, he said. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)