🏥 COPE Demands Urgent Decision on KDU Hospital Operating Model

• Overall Governance & Status: Parliamentary Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) chaired by MP Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera instructed authorities to urgently finalize whether KDU Hospital operates as a Government or private entity. Committee called for KDU Act amendments to strengthen overall governance. • Capacity & Operations: Concerns raised over severe underutilisation of the 800+ bed facility, including idle wards, operating theatres, and ICUs, alongside critical shortages of medical officers and healthcare staff. • Financial & Asset Management: COPE examined foreign loan repayment obligations and administrative weaknesses. Highlighted an asset loss of ~Rs. 8.44 Mn due to 2,199m of stolen copper strips from lightning protection systems (2022–2023), questioning if replacement aluminum wires meet safety standards.