He requested the assistance of all citizens in the country to make this program a success.

The President was speaking at a ceremony to open the new building at the National Dental Hospital and to lay the foundation stone for another building for the hospital today (31st Jan.).

He stated that few hospitals being constructed to strengthen the free health service will be vested with people in the near future. “The government will provide all required facilities for the health sector to protect the lives of the people”, he said.

The President recalled about the lack of the specialist doctors and nurses has been a critical issue. He mentioned that there are challenges in the system to appoint new doctors to the hospitals. He commended the service rendered by the health staffs in the health sector.

President Sirisena recalled that some persons did not allow him to implement some programs for the progress of the health sector during his tenure as the Health Minister. The President totally rejected the rumors alleging that he influences over the new doctors’ appointments to hospitals.

“I have given the freedom and made an environment to my ministers so that they can provide a better service to the people. They can work without any disturbance from unwanted interferences”, he said.

The President unveiled the plaque to open the nine-storied building, constructed at a cost of Rs. 1,200 million. He also registered the first patient through the new computer software system.
After observing the units of the hospital, he laid the foundation stone for the second building to be constructed.