A severe shortage of medical supplies has been reported in several hospitals in Sri Lanka due to the lack of a solution for the increasing shortage of medicines, the All Ceylon Medical Professionals Association said in a statement.
The Association revealed that there were only limited stocks of medicines in the medical storages of the Health Ministry and in Provincial areas.
Health trade unions and medical associations have continuously pointed out in the recent past, the shortage of medicines and medical equipment in state hospitals.
The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has revealed that even though there are 1300 essential medicines, there was a shortage of 140-150 out of them.
The GMOA further states that there is a shortage of Insulin for diabetic patients, Asprin for heart patients, metformin, syrup for children, anaesthesia, and cancer and kidney medications at present.
“Stocks of several essential medicines have finished by the end of January. The government has not taken measures to replace the finished medicines. Several hospitals are also facing a shortage of medical equipment such as syringes, catheters, cannulas, etc. Several surgeries have been suspended due to a lack of medicines and medical supplies. Even though the government claims to have allocated money to resolve the shortages, it is yet to be addressed,” the medical professionals stated.
Meanwhile, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella announced yesterday (12) that the government has decided to temporarily postpone surgeries that could be postponed at present. (NewsWire)