Abstract

The Ayurveda universities are producing hundreds of native doctors annually. They can practise in different places and branches. Some of them join the Government Ayurveda hospitals, some practise privately and some are based in hotel and tourism industry. The Ayurveda medication has a long history on the island of Sri Lanka, which can be broadly traced in various sources. According to historical events, the advanced health economy was initially spawned through the introduction of Buddhism since the 6th century before Christ (544 BC). Till then, the locals were medically treating each other with the knowledge acquired by experience. Nevertheless, after 544 BC, another phenomenon occurred: there emerged many Kings as native doctors as well. Among such people, we could usually observe those elites who received education in Guru Gedera (school). They were additionally qualified as building engineers, irrigational engineers, artisans and native doctors. The native doctors were called «Vedana» and they were specialized in various fields viz: gynaecologists, veterinary surgeons, general physicians, etc. King Pandukabhaya, King Buddhadasa and King Parakramabahu I are some of famous native doctors in the ancient past. Their work and treatment methods are well-known and worth reviewing in our article. Besides, its contrast is shown to modern treatment techniques and what differences between them consist in. In particular, we see a difference of treatment and prevention approaches. Previously, natural substances were used as healing items; no drugs were engaged at all. From the British colonisation moment, European techniques were brought to improve the Sri Lankan medicine. Also, not only the past health economy evolution is discussed in the article. It is the specialized modern institutions that are focused on. Especially, what are the most relevant hospitals in Sri Lanka, how they are subdivided, what diseases they recover from, how medical aid is provided to specific age or occupation categories. The issue of state and private medical institutions is described as well: what advantages and disadvantages exist for them. Finally, the conclusion is made whether the Sri Lankan health economy system is reliable and resilient in the modern world.

Keywords: Ancient Ayurvedic facilities, Ancient Ayurvedic treatments, development and effectiveness of healthcare, European and modern health facilities and treatments, local Kings, state patronage for health economy.

JEL Classification: I10, I15, I18.

Cite as: Jayasundera, A. M. (2023). Development of Health Economy in the Island of Sri Lanka. Health Economics and Management Review, 4(1), 39-46. https://doi.org/10.21272/hem.2023.1-04

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License

References

1. Apeksha Hospital. (2023a). Awareness material. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from [Link]
2. Apeksha Hospital. (2023b). Donations. Items in need. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from [Link]
3. Apeksha Hospital. (2023c). Home page. National Cancer Institute. Retrieved from [Link]
4. Army.lk. (2023). New Military Hospital in Narahenpita. Retrieved from [Link]
5. Asiri Hospitals (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
6. Baurs (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
7. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Global immunisation against polio. Retrieved from [Link]
8. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Vaccinations against Smallpox. Retrieved from [Link]
9. Colombo General Hospital (2023). Retrieved from [Link].
10. Colombo South Teaching Hospital (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
11. De Silva, N. (2016). Healing and wellbeing: Practices, culture and the role of government of Sri Lanka. PhD thesis. Griffith Law School, Australia. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef].
12. District Hospital in Kandana (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
13. Durdans Hospital (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
14. Ediriweera, E. R. & Perera, M. S. (2011). Clinical study on the efficacy of Chandra Kalka with Mahadalu Anupanaya in the management of Pakshaghata (Hemiplegia). AYU – International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda, 32(1), 25-29. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
15. Ediriweera, E. R. (2014). A review on leech application (Jalaukacharana) in Ayurveda and Sri Lankan traditional medicine. Journal of Ayurveda and Holistic Medicine, 2(1), 62-77. Retrieved from [Link].
16. Geiger, W. (1912). The Mahavamsa (English translation). Ceylon Government Information Department Colombo. Retrieved from [Link]
17. Hemas Pharmaceuticals (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
18. Kurande, V., Waagepetersen, R., Toft, E., Prasad, R., & Raturi, L. (2012). Repeatability of pulse diagnosis and body constitution diagnosis in traditional Indian Ayurveda medicine. Global advances in health and medicine, 1(5), 36-42. [Google Scholar]
19. Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
20. Lanka Hospitals (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
21. Macrotrends (2023). Sri Lanka life expectancy in 1950-2023. Retrieved from [Link]
22. Medical Supplies Division (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
23. National Hospital of Sri Lanka (2023). Overview and history of NHSL. Retrieved from [Link]
24. National Institute of Mental Health (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
25. Nawaloka Hospitals (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
26. Ninewells Hospital (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
27. Nurses Training School in Kandana (2023). Retrieved from [Link].
28. Pieris, K. (2023). Sinhala Vedakam and Western medicine: Part 1. Retrieved from [Link]
29. Retrieved from [Link].
30. Rajya Osu Sala (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
31. Rehabilitation Hospital in Ragama (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
32. Ross, R. R., & Savada, A. M. (1998). Sri Lanka: A country study. Federal Research Division, Library of Congress. Retrieved from [Link]
33. Shaw, Ch. (2022). Mobilizing the military medical services for COVID-19 response: How Sri Lanka’s joint civil-military efforts relieved health workers and ensured continuance of routine immunisation. Linked Immunisation Action Network. Retrieved from [Link]
34. Sri Lankan Ministry of Health (2023). Government hospitals in Sri Lanka. Retrieved from [Link]
35. The Buddhist Society (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
36. The Lions Clubs (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
37. The Rotary Clubs (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
38. The Sri Lankan Ministry of Health (2023). Retrieved from [Link]
39. Thero, K.G. (2022). Ath Veda Potha. Retrieved from [Link].
40. Tomky, N. (2018). An introduction to Sri Lankan cuisine. Retrieved from [Link]
41. Union Chemists (2023). Retrieved from [Link].
42. University of Colombo (2023). Nursing education in Sri Lanka. Retrieved from [Link]
43. Wikipedia (2023a). Retrieved from [Link]
44. Wikipedia (2023b). Coscinium fenestratum. Retrieved from [Link]
45. Wikipedia (2023c). Kiri Vehera. Retrieved from [Link]
46. Wikipedia (2023d). Parakramabahu I. Retrieved from [Link]