A special sectoral review meeting on the progress of development projects planned for 2026 through the Provincial Ministry of Health – Northern Province, the Provincial Department of Health Services, the Provincial Department of Indigenous Medicine, and the Provincial Department of Probation and Child Care Services was held today – on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, at the Governor’s Secretariat under the chairmanship of the Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, N. Vethanayahan.
Under the Provincial Department of Health Services, several key development activities have been identified for this year. Some of these projects have already been completed, while others are at the evaluation and tender-calling stages. Notably, under the Primary Healthcare System Strengthening Project funded by the World Bank, modernization work is to be carried out at primary healthcare centers in the districts of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu, and Vavuniya.
Through the Provincial Department of Indigenous Medicine, 38 development projects are being implemented with an allocation of 284 million rupees. These include the renovation of rural Ayurvedic hospitals, establishment of herbal gardens, and procurement of medical equipment.
Welfare programs implemented under the Provincial Department of Probation and Child Care Services were also reviewed in terms of their progress.
After reviewing the progress of development activities, the Hon. Governor emphasized the importance of utilizing allocated funds efficiently within the stipulated timeframe. He instructed officials to avoid delays in planning and evaluation stages and to ensure uninterrupted delivery of services to the public. He also advised accelerating re-evaluations in line with the current rise in prices.
The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary of the Northern Province, the Secretary to the Governor, the Secretary of the Provincial Ministry of Health, Deputy Chief Secretaries, the Provincial Director of Health Services, the Commissioner of the Provincial Department of Indigenous Medicine, the Commissioner of the Provincial Department of Probation and Child Care Services, the Provincial Director of the Department of Buildings, Regional Directors of Health Services, and other senior officials.
