• MP Rohini Wijerathna claims matter will not get resolved until Sept.
• Blames Govt.’s mistrust of MoH officials for procurement tender delays

Samagi Jana Balawegaya Opposition Parliamentarian Rohini Kumari Wijerathna alleged that according to the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) Medical Supplies Division’s (MSD) reports updated on 27 February 2025, the MSD has run out of 333 types of medicines, while the authorities have claimed that only 56 types of medicines are out of stock and that it will take around nine months to procure them.

She made these claims while addressing the Parliament where she raised concerns about the procurement processes as well. Wijerathna claimed that the Government’s mistrust in Health Ministry officials has delayed it from initiating the tender procedures necessary to procure medicines. Although around 325 tenders are offered a year to obtain medicines, she claimed, the relevant system has completely collapsed. “Therefore, this medicine shortage will not end till September of this year,” she opined.

She further spoke about the lack of doctors in hospitals, especially specialists. According to her, at present, the country’s health sector is short of hundreds of specialist doctors. She added: “Out of the 2,200 clinical specialist doctors, only 1,900 are remaining. There are 750 vacancies for this year. The Mannar District General Hospital has not had a consultant paediatrician for two weeks. Requests are submitted on a daily basis.” According to the latest transfer list, she added, the health sector is lacking around 780 specialist doctors. Out of the 278 doctors who returned to the country following the completion of overseas trainings, she added, around 100 specialist doctors have returned to the country only to go back abroad. Pointing out that only 180 specialist doctors are joining the health sector despite the sector having 780 vacancies, she explained that when next year’s (2026) transfers take place, the country will be lacking 600 specialist doctors. According to her, there are 180 positions for surgeons, although there are only 130 of them while the remaining 60 positions are yet to be filled. When it comes to anaesthesiologists, she added, there are 225 positions of which 65 are to be filled. Out of the 25 anaesthesiologists who returned to Sri Lanka upon completing their trainings, 10 have gone abroad again. She added that the country is currently dealing with a shortage of 70 paediatricians and 20 ophthalmologists. “The shortage of specialist doctors affects mostly fields such as paediatric illnesses, anaesthesia, surgeries, and neurosurgeries. Through this year’s Budget, off-day duty payments for doctors, nurses and supplementary healthcare sectors have been slashed. Their allowances have been reduced,” Wijerathna said, adding that regions such as Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and Canada benefit from Sri Lankan medical and nursing students.

With regard to Ayurvedic and Unani doctors, she explained that there is a severe shortage of such doctors across the country, especially in the Central Province. She added that of the total requirement, there is a shortage of around 40%.

The Daily Morning’s attempts to contact the Health Ministry authorities including Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa and Deputy Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni to discuss the ministry’s stance in this regard proved futile.