The Inbound Health Assessment Centre (IHAP) in Borella, a key facility responsible for assessing the health status of foreign nationals arriving in Sri Lanka for long-term stays, was subjected to an urgent inspection recently by Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijeymuni.
The centre operates under the Quarantine Division in coordination with the Department of Immigration and Emigration of the Ministry of Health and functions with the technical support and supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
During the inspection, officials informed the Deputy Minister that approximately 100 foreign nationals undergo mandatory medical examinations at the centre each day. Over the past five years, a total of 103,618 foreigners applying for long-term visas have been medically examined at the facility.
The inspection was followed by a discussion between the Deputy Minister and officials of the centre on strengthening operations and improving service delivery. Dr. Wijeymuni assured officials that necessary steps would be taken to enhance institutional coordination and address identified shortcomings.
The inspection and discussion were attended by senior health and immigration officials, including Director of the Quarantine Division Dr. Samitha Ginige, Specialist Dr. Dilhani Samarasekera, Medical Officer of Immigration and Emigration Dr. Prasada Herath, IOM Chief Immigration and Emigration Officer Dr. Simeonette de Asis, and Inbound Health Assessment Centre Medical Officer Dr. Achini Jayathilaka.
