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No free medicine
By Sandun A. Jayasekera
The government has decided to suspend offering free treatment to patients admitted to State hospitals over alcohol related ailments from next year. The decision was taken by Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena to discourage alcoholism and to minimize alcohol related diseases as non-communicable diseases are on the rise.
“We have taken a policy decision to charge patients who get treatment at government healthcare institutions for diseases related to alcoholism. The studies conducted by my ministry reveal that a majority of patients come to hospitals to get treatment for non-communicable diseases are alcoholics and who fallen ill due to alcoholism” Minister Sirisena said.
Comments - 62
Comments - No free medicine
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Dr. Sam Thursday, 26 August 2010 11:05 AM
Ok, what are the ailments that can be attributed 'purely' to alchocol. Think a little bit before taking any drastic measures - discuss it with the medical profession. What this could do is make people lie about their drinking habbits when seeking medication.
3 17
Shyama Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:08 AM
Can't you understand simple English? He is talking about the future...
2 1
Mahasenavi Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:11 AM
They pay a huge tax to the government, so that they should be looked after.
2 9
Ruwan Ferdinandez Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:13 AM
Theye may be other ways, non-conventional ways of addressing alcoholism, if that is the intention here. Something like charging the bar owners who sold alcohol to the guy who needs treatment might work.
0 1
I Hussein Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:16 AM
You dont knw what you are missing Herman.
6 4
uneducated Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:24 AM
Good move. We should also stop treating patients who suffer from high blood pressure/cholesterol to discourage eating oily food and snacks (what a pity, people who drink alcohol pays 600% tax for the government for every bottle of Arrack they drink but they can't get treatments for free from public hospitals for what they have paid)
0 10
sltk2004 Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:33 AM
These drunkards contribute a lot of money to the government (more than Rs 20000 million as per data from Excise department). Lot of other services by the government are funded by this money
6 20
Holman Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:44 AM
The patient will have to think twice then... whether to drink with the money or buy medicine !
0 2
Bakamoona Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:47 AM
But the drunkards too, pay tax, you know.
0 8
Abdul Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:49 AM
Govent should not address the symptom of the problem insted they should address the route cause before stopping the free medical treatment.
1 5
dilu Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:52 AM
on the other hand, govt has issued 2800 fresh licences for liquor shop...what a hypocracy
0 0
Gunawathie Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:52 AM
He too, could be a tax payer..
2 3
dilu Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:55 AM
bcos they also paid tax...
1 2
boss Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:56 AM
first of all close the wine shops
2 5
Tom Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:57 AM
Not a good move...why not ban production? This is mainly because there is revenue for the government. With the present COL and other economical woes, ordinary folks will definitely resort to drinking...we need a PERMANENT solution. This is just like lighting a candle at both ends.
6 17
adam Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:57 AM
very good move, also porn movies baning .
5 2
Smith Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:07 AM
VERY GOOD MOVE.....we have appreciate the move...on President...
1 1
Dick Thursday, 26 August 2010 11:40 AM
well it won't stop people from drinking at least it'll stop wasting government money on alcoholics who are terminal cases. where as the money can be used on the younger generations who need it
1 0
crazyoldmansl Thursday, 26 August 2010 11:48 AM
Fine. Now remove the taxes on liquor.
0 5
ND Thursday, 26 August 2010 11:58 AM
Alcoholics pay taxes at a very higher rates which is a very big income for the government. So why charge them? Isn’t this discrimination towards a part of our society who needs counseling?
0 3
Harris Thursday, 26 August 2010 12:20 PM
What about treatment for headaches caused by politicians? If we stop free treatment, then the politicians will stop causing us headaches!
(get it???)0 5
Sue Thursday, 26 August 2010 12:24 PM
Once again its the poor man who will be effected. The drunkard who can afford will anyway not go to a state hospital for anything.
0 7
Paul Fernando Thursday, 26 August 2010 12:28 PM
But who sells alcohol?
2 7
Aje Thursday, 26 August 2010 01:25 PM
At least poor people will be motivated to give up this bad habit.
2 0
Hane Thursday, 26 August 2010 02:11 PM
Wait and see, after few more year gov will say no free medicine for all diseases.The poor people will suffer more and more.Point me one good country making these type of decisions.
1 1
SARATH Thursday, 26 August 2010 02:58 PM
Good move.
0 0
Hazeer Thursday, 26 August 2010 03:18 PM
Joke...... Alcohol addicted parliamentarians will be covered by medical insurance from our tax money and the poor public have to pay for their medicines.
0 3
citizen1 Thursday, 26 August 2010 03:56 PM
Ultimately there will be no need for govt hospitals!! We'll all be disease laden and running around the countryside infecting one another!!! A real suba anagatayak!
2 1
Wasantha Thursday, 26 August 2010 04:26 PM
Best way to reduce the cost is say no free medicine to politicians who have issued bar licence.
0 4
banda Thursday, 26 August 2010 05:06 PM
well said. But this the way this govt. solve the problems, the y just devide the population by radicalizing one against the other.
0 1
Calistus Jayatilleke Friday, 27 August 2010 06:29 AM
In other words, a shameless admission that the much publicised "Mathata Thitha" campaign has failed miserably.
0 2
pathum Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:44 AM
Very good move..
13 8
Nihal Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:03 AM
WELL DONE. This is a bold decision that should backed by all right-thinking citizens of this country!!!
13 41
Rajitha Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:06 AM
sensible move. at least this should teach them a lesson
10 29
Herman Munster Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:07 AM
Very very good. Do the same for heavy smokers too.
13 42
sumith Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:09 AM
Approving 2400 new Liquor Licences- Must have signed a pact with private nursing homes.Great times ahead ha! haa!
43 39
IND Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:12 AM
Good Move!!!! Not only alcohol, but also other medicines should be charged atleast one rupee. That will help to maintain the hospital in one way and stop certain people who are coming to hospital for useless things.
19 16
Ranjana Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:15 AM
ok... Do you think the person addicted to liquor will stop drinking them just because of this? I do not thing so. They will get ill. At the end of the day his/her family members have to manage the burden. I do not think this is a wise move. Rehabilitating those people is a wise decision
27 48
Hiran Shanaka Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:15 AM
I guess we need to have counselling centres and encourage people to go for counselling.
1 56
IND Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:16 AM
Don't talk nonsnse !! How does that money go to private nursing homes ?? It's for the government. If they want they can get treatment from Government hospital at LESSER price or can get it from nursing home at HIGHER price. Choice is yours !!!
17 22
Isuru Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:19 AM
It’s people who drink alcohol. Not that the government forced them to do so. Who cares how many thousands of bars are in the country if you have will power not to drink. Don’t blame someone else for your backboneless.
11 22
Basi Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:32 AM
well said Ranjana...
18 22
IND Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:40 AM
Why should we use public tax payers money for them ???
9 20
Saradial Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:40 AM
@"......also other medicines should be charged atleast one rupee. That will help to maintain the hospital......" then why pay tex?, I agree with you in Alcoholic should be charged.
13 6
Saradial Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:41 AM
The money saved can be used for rehabilitation, who wants to be released from Alcohol.
8 14
sw Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:42 AM
Why does the govt keep issuing new liquor licenses, over two thousand last year.
5 28
Nihal Amarasekera Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:44 AM
alcoholics drink not because they get "free" care at state hospitals but because they are alcoholics. Wrong decision; will have lots of ramifications.
12 25
Ish Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:02 AM
good move.... the govt wastes a lot of money on curing drunkards!!!
15 68
moratuputhek Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:45 AM
Some get sirosis in the lever even if they were not alcoholics.
How to differentiate them ?
Can someone help me to identify this.2 20
Roshan Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:45 AM
What about Sex related diseases?, to discourage prostitution.
13 15
ane apoy Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:51 AM
Ok the next step is to stop treating the accident victims free of charge to reduce the accidents!! This is what happens when Grama Sevaka becomes the Health Minister
20 32
Dinesh Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:26 AM
Why not recall all bar licenses given.
0 7
Malinda Fernando Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:29 AM
then taxes on alcohol should be removed.
2 3
bash Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:33 AM
REAL SILLY, LIKE MOST OF HIS OTHER DECISIONS
2 6
ping pong Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:38 AM
I have heard some thing called non- alcoholic serosis
1 1
Deva Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:38 AM
must do the same thing for people take bribes
1 3
Ramzeel Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:40 AM
The Govt issues 2400 Liquour Licences in a year and at the same time says that alcoholics will be charged at Govt. Hospitals. Oh what policy planning, what budget preparations and what decision making. Quo Vadis Sri Lanka.
1 3
DR. Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:49 AM
There are NO CHARGES by public hospitals to obtain treatment for accidents. Are you from Sri Lanka?
15 5
archi Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:50 AM
yesterday there was a news on baning the local porn movies today no free medicine for alcohol related ailments and tomorrow what????
2 7
DR. Thursday, 26 August 2010 09:58 AM
1. Its cirrhosis NOT sirosis.
2. There are simple clinical signs and symptoms for it. There are specific enzyme levels (basic liver function tests) that are done in ALL patients with liver disease in all hospitals.. to detect it.
Its actually VERY VERY SIMPLE even for a student of medicine to diagnose alcoholic from non alcoholic cirrhosis.0 5
gayan Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:05 AM
This move will not reduce the alcoholic patients. What the government should do is to treat these patients and push them through a rehab process.
1 4
sltk2004 Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:06 AM
What ane apoy is saying is, that will be the next step (not that it is currently hapenning)
1 2
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