Severe shortage of drugs: GMOA (EP)

By Wasantha Chandrapala   

Whatever the Health Ministry might say, there is a severe shortage of drugs at government hospitals, Coordinator of the Government Medical Officers’ Association (Eastern Province) Dr. Niroshan Liyanage said, addressing a press conference.  

“At present, there is a severe shortage of antibiotics at the Ampara General Hospital. Currently, the purchases are made from private pharmacies at an exorbitant cost. It shows the inefficiency of the Health Minister. Aspirin is not available at the Akkaraipattu hospital,” he said.   

Dr. Hansamal Weerasuriya, Secretary, Ampara Branch of the Government Medical Officers’ Association said, “Now, Rajitha Senaratne and others are trying to show the country that there is no shortage of drugs but the hospitals in the Eastern Province do not have the necessary medicines, especially the life-saving medicines. The Ampara General Hospital does not have certain antibiotics. The government is playing with the helpless patients. Most of the patients have had to purchase medicine from private pharmacies”.   

A number of doctors from the Eastern Province also participated.