According to the ‘Green City Concept’, presented by the World Health Organization The Ministry of Health would insist on paying, maximum attention to environment in all future building constructions.

The WHO has held that none of the cities in the world paid attention to the environment when constructing buildings making them disease prone.

A spokesman for the Health Ministry said yesterday that Sri Lanka is no exception and was guilty of paying very little or no attention to the environment in the construction of buildings. Sunlight and natural ventilation is shut out in the construction of office buildings.

Office workers are compelled to work under artificial lighting in air conditioned rooms, he said. This has caused not only psychological problems, dia

betes and heart problems, but also illnesses like dengue and chickengunya.

The spokesman said the Lady Ridgeway Hospital and Ampara General Hospital are environment friendly with utmost attention being given to natural light and ventilation and the surrounding greenery of trees and creepers. The Health Ministry has already given Rs.3 million from the Health Fund to make The National Hospital more environmental friendly. Even the Castle Street Hospital for Women will be made more eco-friendly as patients approve such surroundings for healing purposes, he said.

The Health Ministry plans to promote the ‘Green Concept’ in collaboration with the Ministry of Urban and Sacred Area Development.