Cabinet approves procurement of surgical gauze from local manufacturers

Colombo, April 7 (Daily Mirror) - The Cabinet has approved the procurement of surgical gauze for the Medical Supplies Sector for the year 2026 from local manufacturers, in line with an earlier decision to support domestic production.

Surgical gauze, an essential consumable for clinical procedures and surgeries, will be sourced entirely from local small-scale manufacturers. The total requirement for 2026 has been estimated at 40 million meters.

The Surgical Gauze Ration Determination Committee has recommended that the entire quantity be purchased from 282 registered local manufacturers across the country. The recommendation was subsequently endorsed by the High-Level Standing Procurement Committee.

Based on the proposal submitted by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Cabinet has approved the purchase of 40 million meters of surgical gauze at a rate of Rs. 60.14 per meter, strengthening both healthcare supply and local industry participation.