Healthcare services hit by lack of drugs: GMOA

By G.W.K. Premathilaka De Silva, Sirangika Lokukarawita and D.G. Sugathapala  

There is a shortage of various types of essential and commonly used drugs and medical equipment in  hospitals countrywide resulting in inconvenience to the patients, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said yesterday.  

GMOA co-secretary at the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Dr. Ubayabandara Warakagoda said healthcare services in Sri Lanka had dropped to a low level.  

“Most of the hospitals are hard pressed to provide optimum services in clinics, the OPD and in-house care. This because of a failure in the procurement process,” he said.   
“The Health Ministry, which is under Minister Rajitha Senaratne has failed to deliver the best healthcare service to the people. This chaotic situation has put the lives of people in danger,” Dr. Warakagoda said.   

He said the Health Ministry appears to have imported substandard drugs to be given to pregnant women and children.   

Meanwhile, Media committee member, Dr. Prasad Colombage said several general hospitals had reported that there was a substantial shortage of drugs prescribed for several diseases including drugs for heart patients.   

“We have also received a list of drugs from those hospitals as well,” Dr. Colombage said. 

Most of the hospitals are hard pressed to provide optimum services in  clinics, the OPD and in-house care. This because of a failure in the  procurement process