Dr. Ananda Kuruppuarachchi takes over as the President of the Association of Private Hospitals & Nursing Homes

Pledging to amplify initiatives to enhance its contribution to the country’s pandemic-burdened healthcare sector and to its members, the Association of Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes (APHNH) elected a new group of leaders at its recent Annual General Meeting (AGM).

Chairman and Managing Director of the Pannipitiya Private Hospital, Dr. Ananda Kuruppuarachchi took over as President of the country’s apex body for private hospitals and nursing homes, from Hemas Hospitals’ Managing Director, Dr. Lakith Peiris.

The other officials who were newly elected and who will continue to hold positions  as key office bearers for 2021-23 included; Vice Presidents – Deshamanya Indrani Fernando (New Philip Hospital), Dr. Ruwan Senatilleke (Asiri Hospitals) and Dr. Upali Banagala (Kings Hospital), Secretary – Dr. Sunil Ratnapreya (Asiri Hospital), Assistant Secretary – Dr. Karthika Kathiresan (Lanka Hospitals), Treasurer – Dinesh Ranaweera (Royal Hospital) and Assistant Treasurer – Raveen Wickremasinghe (Ruhunu Hospital).

The previous Council of the association recorded several impressive achievements– both in terms of further extending the association’s enduring commitment to the country’s healthcare sector over the last five decades and in supporting its membership. 

Advocacy by the association led to private hospitals being allowed to conduct PCR testing and manage intermediate care facilities for COVID-19 patients, thereby supporting the public sector in combatting the country’s biggest health crisis in recent history.

The association also increased its membership significantly and doubled its membership subscriptions collection in the 2020/21 financial year from the year before. In addition, APHNH established a robust governance structure, implemented a roadmap for the association’s growth and contributed significantly to the improvement of the functioning of the entire private healthcare sector of the country.

“I thank the immediate Past President and all outgoing office bearers of the association, whose invaluable and untiring contribution during a critical juncture enabled us to reach new heights and make a meaningful contribution to the country during the COVID-19 pandemic,” incoming President Dr. Ananda Kuruppuarachchi said.

“I look forward to the support of the new office bearers in addressing the challenges that are facing our association and members, particularly in improving the human resources – including improving training and attracting and retaining talent.”

Dr. Ananda Kuruppuarachchi has decades of experience in healthcare management, having commenced the Pannipitiya Private Hospital more than 25 years ago. He has served as a Council Member of the Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC) and APHNH for an extensive period. During his tenure as the Vice-President of APHNH he provided leadership to the Training and Skills Development Committee for the past two years. This committee succeeded in launching several key initiatives – including the commencement of the NVQ level 6 Nursing training course, organising a training school for the private health sector in partnership with key state institutions such as NAITA and successfully conducting a survey on  the skills gaps in the private sector and submitting a report to the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission (TVEC ).

About APHNH Established in 1972, the APHNH represents all the country’s private hospitals and nursing homes. According to official statistics from the Institute for Health Policy, the private healthcare sector accounts for Rs. 193 billion in expenditure on medical goods and services, which amounts to nearly 55% of the country’s total healthcare cost. The sector also accounts for 70% of Outpatient Department (OPD) services in the country. As the leading representative of this industry, the association plays a vital role in uplifting healthcare standards and building a healthier country. Through its representation in the Private Health Services Regulatory Council (PHSRC), the APHNH plays an important role in the development and regulation of the country’s private health sector. Over the recent past, its efforts have also included facilitating skills development among healthcare workers – especially nurses – and contributing to the upliftment of healthcare standards in the private health care services in the country in numerous ways.