According to Dr. Mahipala, in previous years only 1.2 or 1.5 percent of the national income was allocated for the free health service.

Now there are adequate funds available locally in order to strengthen the free health service and deliver a better service for the public, he said.

Dr. Mahipala pointed out that presently all programmes such as the National Dengue Control Programme, AIDS control programme, the TB control programme, malaria control programme, etc can be managed with local funding whereas in the past such programmes were funded with the assistance of foreign aid that came through International organizations.

Meanwhile Media Secretary to the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medicine Lal Ananda Abeydheera said that a shortage of 79 drugs was reported in January this year from state hospitals and by March this has been reduced to 49 drugs.

There is a possible shortage of 29 drugs. But the Ministry has taken all possible steps to prevent all types of drug shortages, he added.