Fear of prescribing drugs from outside: Health Ministry stalls on guidelines

Essential items such as suture materials, painkillers, and orthopedic equipment are in dangerously short supply  

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

Further intensifying a crisis within the state hospital system, the Health Ministry continues to delay the issuance of much-needed guidelines for doctors who are hesitant to prescribe essential medicines and surgical items from private sources in light of recent allegations against Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne.    Wijeratne, a senior neurosurgeon at the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, stands accused of selling medical equipment worth Rs. 50,000 to patients for Rs. 175,000 through a private company.   

The case has sparked fear and hesitation among medical professionals, many of whom now avoid directing patients to external suppliers, even when vital supplies are unavailable in public hospitals.   
“We’ve been forced to suspend or delay several surgeries,” a hospital source revealed noting that essential items such as suture materials, painkillers, and orthopedic equipment are in dangerously short supply.   

Despite the urgent need, many doctors fear facing allegations of misconduct if they refer patients to obtain necessary supplies from outside the system.   

This has led to paralysis at major institutions, including the Colombo National Hospital and Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital.   

Meanwhile, Daily Mirror’s multiple attempts to contact a senior health official failed.