E-health cards will be issued to the entire population from February onwards, according to Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Rajitha Senaratne.

An e-health card will enable a patient to receive treatment from any doctor without delay as it contains the patient’s entire medical history.

The programme will be carried out by the same company that launched the e-health card distribution in Andhra Pradesh, India with its first phase implemented at Kalutara General Hospital and Bandaragama District Hospital.

Meanwhile, hospitals across the country are automating their records with nearly 500 hospitals already fully computerised.

The e-health card was introduced in Sri Lanka during the WHO’s 71st anniversary celebrations at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre in April last year.