Americares, a non-profit organisation located in the United States, has donated medicine and medical supplies worth 773,000 US dollars (roughly 279 million Sri Lankan rupees) to Sri Lanka, according to the Sri Lanka embassy in Washington D.C.
The donation includes important pharmaceuticals such as prenatal and lactation vitamins, chronic illness medications, intravascular catheters, syringes, and gloves that are urgently needed by the Ministry of Health, according to a joint statement from the embassy and Americares.
Americares and the Ministry of Health of Sri Lanka have signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate future similar gifts.
The occasion was marked with a formal certificate transfer ceremony at the Sri Lankan embassy in Washington, D.C., with Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe and Deputy Medical Officer for Americares Sadhana Rajamoorthi, according to the statement.
On September 21, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella told parliament that 92 of 383 pharmaceuticals are in insufficient supply, despite the fact that Sri Lanka has 14 of the most critical medicines on hand.
Rambukwella acknowledged that there is a drug deficit, which he claims can be controlled. He suggested that substitutes for medications be sought.
He stated that a complete report on the shortages and supply gaps in the health industry will be given to parliament.
