Psychiatric service delivery in an Asian country: the experience of Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is an island with a population of 19.4 million. Compared to its south Asian neighbors it has favorable health statistics for its per capita income and the health investment. Currently, the country is facing several crises--a declining world economy, the Asian economic crises, political instability, and ongoing terrorist activities. The health sector too has been adversely affected by these factors with the added impact of plateauing of State investments on health, and a demographic and epidemiological transition. The mental health services suffer from a history of under-investment, an emphasis towards 'asylum-based care' inherited from the British and from emerging problems such as violence, displacements and disruption in social groupings. The demands for more sophisticated and comprehensive care too have increased. As a result, mental healthcare is at a critical juncture in its development in the country. With the renewed global interest in the area, Sri Lanka is in an ideal situation to make a quantum leap in developing its services to new heights.