Cancelled Surgeries Are Lost Lifetimes : Health Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has issued a compelling call to action for South-East Asian nations to prioritize paediatric surgical and anaesthesia services, citing the region’s immense responsibility in safeguarding the future of its children.

“One in every four of the world’s children lives in our region,” Dr. Jayatissa stated, underscoring the scale of the challenge and the opportunity to transform healthcare systems for the next generation.

As child survival rates improve, the demand for paediatric surgical care continues to rise. Yet, many countries still face critical gaps — from hospitals lacking trained specialists to operating theatres without essential medicines or monitoring tools. Children living far from surgical facilities are often denied life-saving or life-changing procedures, such as cleft lip corrections, injury repairs, or infection treatments.

Dr. Jayatissa warned that the consequences of inaccessible surgery are lifelong, with families bearing emotional, social, and economic burdens that deepen inequality.

To address these challenges, the Minister outlined a three-pronged strategy:

The need for sustained investment in training, mentorship, and recognition, while tackling the issue of brain drain that undermines national capacity.

Improving access to essential medicines and equipment.

Embedding emergency, critical, and operative care into national health strategies ensuring continuity, resilience, and alignment with universal health coverage goals.

“In Sri Lanka, we know the pain of cancelled operations due to a multitude of reasons,” he added, calling for bold, integrated reforms to ensure no child is left behind.

Dr. Jayatissa urged regional collaboration and policy alignment to ensure that every child, regardless of location, has access to timely and safe surgical care.