By Maneesha Dullewe
Health authorities yesterday (13) denied social media claims of any ongoing anti-rabies serum and snake antivenom shortages in the country, amidst the ongoing forex crisis that saw medical professionals sound the alarm over shortages of some life-saving drugs.
Speaking to The Sunday Morning, Health Secretary Janaka Chadraguptha firmly denied any allegations of shortages of both anti-rabies serum and snake antivenom.
“Although there were shortages previously, we have brought down sufficient stocks for about a month. We have prepared the necessary measures to bring down further stocks through China. We have taken steps to order enough medicine stocks required for the next three months and there are no shortages in any of the vital items,” Chandraguptha stressed.
Approximately 20-30 deaths occur annually due to rabies in Sri Lanka, mainly through exposure to infected dogs. The main reasons for deaths in Sri Lanka are non-vaccination of dogs against rabies and not getting post-exposure treatments.
Meanwhile, Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Spokesperson Dr. Vasan Ratnasingam told The Sunday Morning that both anti-rabies serum and snake antivenom were available in sufficient quantities and that any sporadic shortages were being addressed.
“Some hospitals have both the antivenom and the anti-rabies serum. However, other hospitals may face shortages. Basically, while there is a drug shortage, it is at a manageable level. For instance, some of the drugs will be enough for a few weeks. When they become unavailable for a few days, the stocks are replenished. The Medical Supplies Division also said there are enough supplies available,” Dr. Ratnasingam stated.
Medical Supplies Division (MSD) Director Dr. W.M.C.M. Wijesinghe also confirmed that there were no shortages of these drugs at present.
Meanwhile, directors of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, Colombo North Teaching Hospital (Ragama), and Jaffna Teaching Hospital all confirmed that sufficient quantities of both the antivenom and the anti-rabies serum were available at their hospitals and that orders for new stocks would be placed once the available stocks ran out.
Anti-rabies serum: Health officials deny shortage
14 Aug 2022
Anti-rabies serum: Health officials deny shortage
14 Aug 2022
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