Deputy Minister’s surprise visit to IHAP reveals gaps in foreign migrant health screening

Deputy Minister of Health, Hansaka Wijemuni, recently conducted a surprise inspection of the Inbound Health Assessment Centre (IHAP) in Borella, which assesses the health status of foreign migrants arriving in Sri Lanka. 

According to the Health Ministry, the centre operates in coordination with the Ministry of Health’s Quarantine Unit and the Department of Immigration and Emigration, and functions under the supervision of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), an international migration agency active in Sri Lanka.

The IOM provides technical assistance to the Sri Lankan government on a wide range of migrationrelated issues, including the control of diseases that may pose a risk of spread within the country, and supports activities aligned with the Ministry of Health’s policies and vision. 

The IHAP conducts medical examinations for foreigners arriving in Sri Lanka (excluding those on tourist visas) before visas are issued, focusing on diseases approved by the Ministry of Health. During the inspection, the deputy minister reviewed how these services are currently delivered, as well as the centre’s future plans, challenges and operational issues. 

At present, the centre conducts approved tests for tuberculosis, leprosy, malaria and AIDS. Officials said the facility examines around 100 foreigners a day and confirmed that, over the past five years, it has screened about 103,618 foreigners who came to Sri Lanka to obtain long-term visas. 

The inspection also revealed that, among the two diseases said to have been eliminated in Sri Lanka, leprosy and malaria, more than 2,000 leprosy cases had been detected through screening. Malaria cases have also been identified and referred to the relevant authorities. Officials further informed the deputy minister that more than 100 AIDS cases and more than 80 tuberculosis cases had been identified and referred for treatment. 

Following the inspection, the deputy minister held a discussion with IHAP officials, who highlighted the weak coordination of the institute at present with the Ministry of Health’s relevant institutions, the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They said this had made it difficult to ensure that all foreigners obtaining long-term visas are screened to date. 

Officials also noted the need to put in place arrangements for the Ministry of Health to fully carry out the centre’s operational functions. They said one of the main challenges for staff is completing all disease screening within two hours for each foreign national. They also raised financial concerns, noting that a significant portion of the fees collected is spent on operations, and said greater attention should be paid to financial management. 

During the discussion, the deputy minister also considered proposals that the centre should, in future, contribute not only to screening foreigners but also to examining the health of Sri Lankans returning from overseas after living or working abroad. 

Officials also proposed expanding the facility’s role to include preparing health travel guidance for Sri Lankans migrating overseas and strengthening travel physician services to provide decisions and information on health conditions before foreigners travel to Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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