The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has raised serious concerns over an escalating shortage of essential medicines in hospitals across the country.
According to Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, Media Spokesperson for the GMOA, hospitals are currently facing a critical lack of antibiotics, painkillers, and insulin.
“Hospitals are reporting widespread shortages of numerous medications. As of the end of April, the Medical Supplies Division had run out of nearly 180 types of medicines. Additionally, about 50 essential medicines were unavailable within the hospital system,” Dr. Wijesinghe stated. “The situation is deteriorating rapidly. We are receiving reports of shortages in antibiotics, painkillers, and insulin. Furthermore, medications for chronic conditions such as heart disease and high blood pressure, as well as some surgical equipment, are becoming increasingly scarce both across the entire healthcare system and in regional facilities. Some of these shortages are occurring internally within the hospital networks.”
In a related development, the Joint Federation of Paramedical Professionals announced that it will launch a symbolic island-wide strike tomorrow (22), citing a series of unresolved demands.
Ravi Kumudesh, Chairman of the Federation, stated that the strike will commence at 8:00 a.m. He emphasized that the Minister of Health, the Public Service Commission, and the government must take full responsibility for the industrial action.
Kumudesh further explained that despite waiting for more than two months for a discussion on these pressing issues, the Ministry of Health has failed to initiate any dialogue or intervention, leaving the federation with no option but to proceed with the strike.
