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Health Ministry struggles to replace expired medical equipment

11 October 2023 07:01 am - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Health Ministry of Sri Lanka has determined that a sum of Rs. 67 billion is a pre-requisite to replace expired medical equipment, Daily Mirror learns.

According to informed sources, the lifetime of the medical equipment has expired since 2019.

The equipment, which include CT scans, MRI scans, linear accelerators, ventilators, and anaesthetic machines, have not been replaced since 2019 due to a lack of funds and the prioritization of certain medical equipment during the pandemic.

Repairing and replacing medical equipment in the government hospital system requires at least Rs 30 billion per year. However, the Health Ministry has been facing a shortage of funds due to the pandemic and subsequent economic crisis.

Moreover, the Health Ministry has conveyed this to the Finance Ministry in the form of a proposal.

In response, the Finance Ministry has pledged to provide a portion of the funds, with the remainder to be allocated in the upcoming budget.


  Comments - 22

  • Long List Wednesday, 11 October 2023 07:25 AM

    Those robbed money through in the name of Highway construction, Nelum Pokkuna, Lotus Tower, Mattala Airport, Krish tower, etc. etc. can advance fund.

    Dinesh Wednesday, 11 October 2023 08:42 AM

    What is the allocation for the minister?

    Wixie Wednesday, 11 October 2023 08:46 AM

    Otherwise We will Expire

    ravin Wednesday, 11 October 2023 09:25 AM

    What were the officials like maintenance engineers? cost accountants , etc etc doing? warming bums and earning commission all the time?

    Fred Wednesday, 11 October 2023 09:46 AM

    Govt should stop ordering luxury cars and non essentials as a first step to finding the money

    Gonawala Sumathipala Wednesday, 11 October 2023 10:00 AM

    Find more commission than the value of these equipment. Then all MPs will come forward!

    Mahila Wednesday, 11 October 2023 11:02 AM

    Please do not give priority to Health Department or procuring Health equipment, postponed for 3 years for want of funds!!!??? Those equipment could wait for another 2 years after General Elections 2025!!!??? This is all in accordance with famous CHINTHANAYA!!!??? To fund building EXPRESSWAYS, TOLLWAYS, FREEWAYS, Highways leading – every MUDKKU!!??? Special emphasis on North-western, Southern Provinces, - electorate important, represented by people of highest Intellect, whom WE AS NATION NEED to be in PARLIAMENT!!!??? Spend all money available, ensure that Re-Carpeting Road, happens, without whatever issues!!??? Need these “MAHA MOLA KARU’ types, including the one with 7 Brains and others OF EQUAL AND SURPASSING Intelligence to save Sri Lanka!!!??? NO MONEY, BORROW FROM Chinese!!!??? They are our ‘AMBA YALUWAS’ and also look after ‘one and all with due care’, unlike IMF, WB!!!???

    Bandu Wednesday, 11 October 2023 11:14 AM

    And with all this rampant issues, 130 MPs voted to keep the Health Minister intact by voting against the No Confidence vote.

    Mahila Friday, 13 October 2023 05:21 AM

    Bandu, We mere MORTALS should become AWAKENED by the realisation, that OUR PARLIAMENTARIANS are ERUDITE, HIGH INTELLIGENCE with Far-reaching THOUGHT PROCESS, than the MERE 'Cunningness' of Sri Lankans (6.9 million) WHO GOT DRUNK WITH ¼ Bottle Gal Arrack, Biryani and SL Rs 5000!? Those who voted these GLORIFIED RASCALS, BOOTLEGGERS, AND LOOTERS are the culprits!? Whether those voter “SCUMBAGS”, would ever reform, or ‘Learnt a Lesson of their Life’, is yet to be seen!? Time will tell?? Probably October/November 2025! God Bless Sri Lanka

    Keheliya Wednesday, 11 October 2023 11:24 AM

    Are these not included in the IMF's GDA ?

    Rishan Wednesday, 11 October 2023 01:15 PM

    Better we request Japan/US/ Germany to replace those equipment's at a lower interest rate instead of procuring through the health ministry.

    Ram Wednesday, 11 October 2023 02:09 PM

    Why struggle, chase the rogue Minister and things will happen sooner

    DJ Wednesday, 11 October 2023 02:52 PM

    Nothing new, why are you surprised?

    Rip Winkle Wednesday, 11 October 2023 03:33 PM

    Sounds extremely suspicious, especially when you take into consideration Rambukwella's spotless reputation.

    Tissa Fernando Wednesday, 11 October 2023 03:42 PM

    Out of Rs 67 billion estimate, Rs 25 billion is kickbacks and commissions. If not, then add Rs 35 Billion to that estimate gor kickbacks.

    Banda Wednesday, 11 October 2023 04:15 PM

    Yes. We need to fund these critical needs. But not under these corrupt thieves who handle the health ministry. The man called Keheliya Rabukwella is well known as a "hora." Give all the authority to a specially appointed procurement committee under the Ministry of Finance. They should handle transactions in a transparent manner according to international standards.

    Sam Silva Wednesday, 11 October 2023 05:19 PM

    How sad it is. For the last 4 years we have been using expired equipment to diagnose illness and treating them with inaccurate results. However the elite ones have the best. We spent on non essentials and on overseas joy trips when we don't have the basic medical care.

    FERNANDO Wednesday, 11 October 2023 07:22 PM

    Somebody please tell the IMF about this

    Mahila Friday, 13 October 2023 05:29 AM

    Why is the IMF Blind, Deaf and DUMB!!?? Hope not!

    ANNECUNT Wednesday, 11 October 2023 07:24 PM

    never try to be a minister in sri-lanka again

    Lalindra Wednesday, 11 October 2023 08:02 PM

    The situation being such the bureaucratic highups of the health ministry still keep robbing in billions by way of emergency procurements and importing unregistered drugs from dubious sources. The health minister should be held responsible for this.

    Pg Thursday, 12 October 2023 10:58 AM

    Collect the money from tax evaders which runs to trillions of rupees.


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