Vital tests delayed due to spray shortage

Colombo, August 22 (Daily Mirror) - Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (UGIE) tests, a procedure used to visually examine the upper digestive system, has been delayed in many hospitals due to the lack of anaesthetic spray needed for the procedure.

According to informed sources, the spray is not available in Sri Lanka, and the product currently in the market has no approval from the National Medicines Regulatory Authority (NMRA).

As a result, specialists have postponed both routine and emergency procedures.

Sources further state that some doctors have ordered the spray from foreign companies for private patients, but most hospital procedures remain on hold without new dates.

UGIE tests are usually done at national, teaching, and district hospitals, with more than 50 patients undergoing the test each week.

Multiple efforts to contact a senior health official failed.