Medicine shortages continue to strain Sri Lanka’s healthcare system

Colombo, June 13 (Daily Mirror) - The country’s healthcare system is facing mounting pressure as shortages of essential medicines persist across government hospitals and central storage facilities. 

According to the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), a wide range of critical drugs, including painkillers, antibiotics, and treatments for chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and kidney disease, remain in short supply.

Particularly concerning is the dwindling availability of cancer medications, which has limited access to timely treatment for many patients. Medical professionals warn that the option of purchasing these life-saving drugs privately is financially out of reach for most families, deepening the crisis for those in urgent need.

Speaking on the issue, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe of the GMOA expressed frustration over the ongoing shortages, criticizing health authorities for their failure to prevent recurring supply disruptions. He emphasized that despite previous warnings and public acknowledgment of the problem by the Health Minister, little progress has been made to resolve the matter.