Health Minister Dr.Rajitha Senaratne had instructed Colombo National Hospital (CNH)Director General Dr.Anil Jasinghe to ban heart stent sales representatives from entering the hospital premises, Media Secretary to the Health Minister Nipun Ekanayake said.
According to Ekanayake, the Health Ministry received information on heart stent sales representatives’ hanging around the hospital all the time seeking possible `customers’.
Minister Dr.Senaratne ordered an immediate investigation into the issue.
“Charging money from patients for eye lenses and heart stents is prohibited at all state hospitals in the country.
The relevant circular is to be issued shortly by the Medical Supplies Division Director Dr.Lal Panapitiya under the direction of the minister,” he said. “The Health Ministry has received many complaints from patients and guardians on the charging of money by doctors for heart stents and lenses,” Ekanayake added.