The Ministry of Health has donated another mobile bus to the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development to support the ongoing random drug testing programme aimed at ensuring a safer and more regulated public transport system.

The initiative is being implemented in accordance with the two-year strategic plan of the National Road Safety Programme launched by the Ministry of Transport, Highways and Urban Development.

The Ministry stated that the donation is intended to further expand the mobile drug testing programme across the country.

The programme involves testing drivers, conductors and bus assistants engaged in public transportation to determine whether they have used drugs while operating or working on public transport services. The programme is currently being implemented in five provinces across the island.

The National Transport Medical Institute plans to extend the testing programme to the remaining provinces as the necessary physical and human resources are developed.

Under the national random drug testing programme, which was launched to enhance road safety and protect lives and property, a total of 7,150 tests have been conducted so far.

Through inter-ministerial cooperation and the implementation of short-, medium- and long-term action plans, the programme aims to reduce the loss of life and property caused by road accidents in the country.