Acute shortage of over 90 essential medicines again in hospitals, pharmacies: GMOA

24 October 2022 05:53 pm - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Currently, there is an acute shortage of more than 90 essential medicines in most government hospitals in the country, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) said.

Addressing the media, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said the hospital network in the country will collapse due to shortages.

"We have observed that the current medicine shortage seems to be on the rise daily." The GMOA branch hospitals have informed us that even hospitals such as district hospitals in the Colombo city limits have faced a medicine shortage. "Essential medicines, including Paracetamol, Piriton and Saline are in short supply," he said.

Emergency medicines such as aspirin, which is used to prevent heatstroke, is in short supply in even Colombo General Hospital (CNH). There is even a shortage of medicine and medical equipment when conducting operations.

Therefore, doctors have to advice patients to get their medicine from pharmacies. Currently, pharmacies are running out of medicines, and most pharmacies are selling the drug at a higher price due to the shortage, which the patients cannot afford.

The current medicine shortage situation has become a nightmare for patients trying to get their medicines. Dr. Aluthge also mentioned that there are issues with laboratories, such as in X-ray and scan tests, due to the shortage of essential materials.

It is also emphasized that the government should immediately intervene in this regard, he said.

As a responsible association, we used to discuss the issue every two months, but the topic has come to the stage to be discussed again, Dr. Aluthge lamented. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama)

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Comments - 12

Keheliya Monday, 24 October 2022 06:09 PM

What else is the GMOA doing other than just making press statements and stating the obvious. Does that help the suffering patients ?

Iwazaru Monday, 24 October 2022 06:11 PM

When there is fuel there is no medicine, wheat flour, cement, steel etc. When there is medicine there is no fuel, wheat flour. steel etc. This is what is called a bankrupt state. We are now getting the taste of it.

KD Monday, 24 October 2022 06:27 PM

Come-on president. Medicines are even more important than petrol, diesel. Please prioritize release of dollars to purchase these.

Shelly Belly Monday, 24 October 2022 07:07 PM

It was reported in the DM the other day that the Indian credit line for medicines were used to purchase fuel. Because going places is more important than staying alive.

Maheepala Monday, 24 October 2022 07:10 PM

Diana is going to USA spending millions of government (people’s) finds, when there is an acute shortage of life saving medicines. We have lost priorities and we fools continue to vote for them.

Samjoe Monday, 24 October 2022 08:02 PM

We elders of this country remember the services of Dr. Rajitha Senaratne during his tenure as Health Minister bringing down the prices of all essential medicine. Thank you Sir.

Confused Monday, 24 October 2022 08:41 PM

What happened to all that medical equipment and medicine that were donated???

GHT Monday, 24 October 2022 09:46 PM

Government interventions will be futile when hospitals staff sell the government-provided medicines to private pharmaceuticals.

One family curse Monday, 24 October 2022 11:09 PM

No problem we can survive withot medicines and food etc by paying taxes only. Because of one family the entire country is suffering but still they want to come back to power by hook or crook.

Ram Tuesday, 25 October 2022 01:40 AM

Why not try the strike action that Padeniya performed during Yahapalanaya to win demands

Cugan Tuesday, 25 October 2022 02:30 AM

This outfit is political motivated given free education dont need to payback what is the contributions, should shut down the pvt hospitals, and upgrade the hospitals They get same privileges as MPs

Fairness for our citizen everywhere Tuesday, 25 October 2022 03:53 PM

Only new taxation can bring in more revenue to by the medicines. GMOA people would never donate any of their their salary for helping the country, so their complaints are pointless since they don't want to help in any real way.

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Acute shortage of over 90 essential medicines again in hospitals, pharmacies: GMOA

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