10 regional health institutions have received new Toyota double cab vehicles to support healthcare services in rural and regional communities, particularly programmes targeting non-communicable diseases and mental health.
The Ministry of Health and Mass Media distributed the vehicles under the World Bank-funded Primary Healthcare System Enhancing Project. Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa officially handed them over at the Ministry premises on Friday (November 6).
09 vehicles have been allocated to Regional Director of Health Services (RDHS) offices across the country. The National Institute of Health Sciences in Kalutara has received the 10th vehicle.
The selected RDHS offices are located in Nuwara Eliya, Puttalam, Monaragala, Polonnaruwa, Kalutara, Matara, Ratnapura, Trincomalee and Jaffna.
Regional Health Teams to Receive Transport Support
For regional healthcare institutions, access to reliable transport is important for carrying out services beyond hospital premises.
Public health programmes often require healthcare teams to reach rural communities, coordinate field activities and support disease prevention efforts. The Ministry expects the new vehicles to improve the ability of regional institutions to carry out these responsibilities.
According to the Ministry, the vehicles will support programmes focused on preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases (NCDs). They will also help improve mental health services at rural and regional levels.
These areas require continued engagement with communities and coordination among healthcare institutions. The additional vehicles are intended to support that work.
World Bank Project Supports Primary Healthcare
The vehicle distribution comes under the World Bank-funded Primary Healthcare System Enhancing Project.
The initiative aims to improve the efficiency and accessibility of primary healthcare services, with particular attention to rural and regional communities.
The project also supports efforts to improve the delivery of healthcare services beyond major hospitals, where prevention, early intervention and community-level support remain important.
Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Primary Healthcare System Enhancing Project Director Dr. Lalith Liyanage, and representatives of the Health Ministry and Toyota Lanka attended the handover ceremony.
With these 10 vehicles, the selected health institutions will have additional transport resources to support their regional healthcare responsibilities and community-based programmes.
Ministerial Update World Bank (WB)
Last modified: November 7, 2026
