The Ministry of Health and Mass Media will officially launch the 1,000 Arogya Wellness Centres project tomorrow (01), under the patronage of Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa.
The foundation stone for the first wellness centre in Kalutara South is scheduled to be laid at 9.00 a.m. tomorrow, while district-level programmes will also be held simultaneously.
The project aims to strengthen primary healthcare services by focusing on the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases.
The Health Ministry said the initiative was introduced in response to the congestion and long queues at hospitals, which often leave doctors with limited time to discuss patients’ health conditions and provide advice.
The wellness centres will provide health advice, screening and guidance at community level, covering several Grama Niladhari divisions.
The Health Ministry emphasized that the centres will not function merely as traditional dispensaries or outpatient departments, but will focus primarily on preventing illnesses and promoting overall health and well-being.
A doctor, community nursing staff and coordinating officers are expected to be assigned to each centre.
