World · Sri Lanka Bureau
New wellness network targets preventive care across region
A major initiative to establish 1,000 community wellness centres is set to reshape health service delivery across South and Southeast Asia, with emphasis on disease prevention and public health education.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
Health authorities are moving forward with plans to establish a network of 1,000 wellness centres designed to prioritize preventive medicine and strengthen community-based health services throughout the region. The centres will serve as focal points for disease prevention programmes, health promotion activities, and primary care services at the grassroots level.
The wellness centres are expected to reduce the burden on secondary and tertiary healthcare facilities by addressing health issues at an early stage. By focusing on preventive care rather than treatment of advanced diseases, the initiative aims to improve health outcomes while reducing overall healthcare costs for families and health systems.
Each centre will be equipped to provide community health education, screening programmes, vaccination services, and basic health consultations. Local health workers and community members will receive training to deliver culturally appropriate health messages and identify individuals at risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and communicable illnesses.
The initiative reflects a broader regional commitment to strengthening primary healthcare infrastructure and shifting towards population-wide health promotion. Officials say the network will be particularly significant for rural and underserved urban areas, where access to preventive health services remains limited. Implementation timelines and specific allocation details are expected to be announced in coming weeks.