Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa today acknowledged that Sri Lanka is facing a shortage of dialysis needles, citing an issue with the supplier.
Addressing the Parliament today, Minister Jayatissa explained that the supplier selected to provide the needle had failed to provide the required needle type.
He further said that, due to this reason, the government was unable to purchase the necessary dialysis needles, resulting in a shortage.
The Health Minister said that, however, a different supplier has been selected, and that purchasing was being made from outside.
Minister Jayatissa said that funds have been allocated to state hospitals and at the provincial level to make local purchases and ensure uninterrupted treatment for kidney patients.
He went on to note that the required supply of needles will be received by 12th October, adding that the stocks required for the main hospitals and regional Medical Supplies Divisions have already been purchased.
“Due to the selected supplier being unable to provide the required needle type per the requirements of the Medical Supplies Division, we have opted for local purchasing to mitigate the issue,” he added.
Minister of Health Nalinda Jayatissa made the remarks in response to a question raised by opposition MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake in Parliament today. (Newswire)