Pledging to amplify initiatives to enhance its contribution to the country’s pandemic-burdened healthcare sector and to its members, the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH) elected a new group of leaders at its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Pannipitiya Private Hospital Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Ananda Kuruppuarachchi took over as President of the country’s apex body for private hospitals and nursing homes, from Hemas Hospitals Managing Director Dr. Lakith Peiris.

The other officials, who were newly elected and who will continue to hold positions as key office bearers for 2021-23 included, Vice Presidents Deshamanya Indrani Fernando (New Philip Hospital), Dr. Ruwan Senatilleke (Asiri Hospitals) and Dr. Upali Banagala (Kings Hospital), Secretary Dr. Sunil Ratnapreya (Asiri Hospital), Assistant Secretary Dr. Karthika Kathiresan (Lanka Hospitals), Treasurer Dinesh Ranaweera (Royal Hospital) and Assistant Treasurer Raveen Wickremasinghe (Ruhunu Hospital).

The previous council of the association recorded several impressive achievements,  both in terms of further extending the association’s enduring commitment to the country’s healthcare sector over the last five decades and in supporting its membership.  

Advocacy by the association led to private hospitals being allowed to conduct PCR testing and manage intermediate care facilities for COVID-19 patients, thereby supporting the public sector in combating the country’s biggest health crisis in recent history. 

The association also increased its membership significantly and doubled its membership subscriptions collection in the 2020/21 financial year from the year before. In addition, the APHNH established a robust governance structure, implemented a roadmap for the association’s growth and contributed significantly to the improvement of the functioning of the entire private healthcare sector of the country. “I thank the immediate Past President and all outgoing office bearers of the association, whose invaluable and untiring contribution during a critical juncture enabled us to reach new heights and make a meaningful contribution to the country during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dr. Kuruppuarachchi said. 

“I look forward to the support of the new office bearers in addressing the challenges that are facing our association and members, particularly in improving the human resources – including improving training and attracting and retaining talent.”

Dr. Kuruppuarachchi has decades of experience in healthcare management, having commenced Pannipitiya Private Hospital more than 25 years ago. He has served as a Council Member of the Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC) and APHNH for an extensive period. During his tenure as Vice President of the APHNH, he provided leadership to the Training and Skills Development Committee for the past two years. This committee succeeded in launching several key initiatives, including the commencement of the NVQ level 6 nursing training course, organising a training school for the private health sector in partnership with key state institutions such as the NAITA and successfully conducting a survey on  the skill gaps in the private sector and submitting a report to the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC ).