The Colombo National Hospital yesterday (06) turned back patients to its outpatients department after its main air-conditioning malfunctioned.
The OPD is located on an eight-storey building.
Speaking to the media, president of the health professionals union Ravi Kumudesh said doctors have advised patients to get their tests done at private laboratories if they needed treatment.
Maintenance stopped by Chinese company
The use of OPD facilities at the China-granted new building began about a year ago.
A Chinese company is in charge of its maintenance.
NHC's deputy director Dr. Rukshan Bellana said around 2,500 patients had to be turned back after the air-conditioning malfunctioned.
Maintenance there has become difficult due to issues in the administration.
Its top officials are to be quizzed on a bribery complaint by the Chinese company, he said.
OPD treatments cannot resume until the matter gets settled, he added.
