The President’s Fund and the Janashakthi Foundation launched a joint programme on Tuesday to top up healthcare grants for children under the age of 18, aimed at narrowing the gap between what the state pays and the actual cost of treatment.
The launch was held at the Hilton Colombo under the theme “Building a Healthier Today for a Winning Tomorrow.” Where the President’s Fund covers only part of a child’s treatment cost — the standard practice — the Janashakthi Foundation will contribute either an equivalent amount or the remaining balance, whichever is lower. Applications for medical assistance lodged with the President’s Fund from May 15 onwards will automatically be eligible to apply for the additional support.
Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the President’s Fund and Senior Additional Secretary to the President, said the government had decentralised and digitalised the Fund’s operations to convert it into a “people-centric” instrument and that the Janashakthi tie-up extended that effort by drawing the private sector into a coordinated assistance pipeline. He said closer coordination with corporates would help cut the still-substantial gap between approved aid and the actual cost of essential medical treatment.
Janashakthi Group Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Schaffter said difficulty in accessing medical treatment was one of the biggest barriers preventing children from progressing, and that the partnership was intended to lower that barrier by directing support specifically at children needing urgent medical care.
Identification of beneficiaries, verification of details and approval of funds will continue to be handled by the President’s Fund. Payments will normally be released to guardians after treatment is completed, but in cases involving emergencies or treatment overseas, funds will be released in advance. Applicants must complete a consent form authorising secure data-sharing between the Fund and the Foundation.
The Janashakthi Foundation is the philanthropic arm of JXG (Janashakthi Group), the listed financial conglomerate. The collaboration is one of the more visible private-sector partnerships entered into by the Fund since its digital overhaul.
