Severe Triphosha shortage reported in maternity and children’s hospitals

Colombo, Nov. 20 (Daily Mirror) - A severe shortage of Triphosha has been reported in many maternity and children’s hospitals across the country, Federation of Medical and Civil Rights Doctors' Trade Unions Chairman Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.

He said that due to the shortage, Triphosha is now given only to severely malnourished children over the age of three, as well as mothers suffering from iron deficiency and underweight pregnant women.

Dr. Sanjeewa noted that Triphosha has not been provided to children under three for several years. Although authorities had announced that the program would be restarted, the government has so far failed to implement it, he said.

He further pointed out that the Triphosha Company, previously under the Ministry of Health, was recently shifted to the Ministry of Trade under Minister Wasantha Samarasinghe through a special announcement to the President.

The Health Professions Association recently alleged that there is a conspiracy to sell the company. Dr. Sanjeewa said the government must explain the basis for removing the Triphosha Company from the Health Ministry and placing it under the Trade Ministry.