• SLMA and professional colleges cite Health Ministry failure to provide solutions to drug, equipment shortages and continuing non-essential, unregistered drug purchases

The Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA) and several professional colleges of specialist doctors yesterday (15) submitted a complaint to the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka (HRCSL) regarding the lack of pharmaceutical drugs and medical equipment in the country, and the failure of the relevant institutions including the Ministry of Health to provide solutions to the same.

Speaking to the media after handing over the complaint, the Convenor of the Faculty of Medicine Teachers' Association, Prof. Indika Karunathilake said: “Currently, there is a shortage of essential drugs in many hospitals. Even then, we see unacceptable things happening. For example, although there is a shortage of certain drugs, there are instances where steps have been taken to import non-essential drugs. So, we have a question about whether the authorities have an honest desire to solve this problem in this serious situation.” 

He also said that in some cases, the authorities have arranged to import drugs even though the relevant companies have not obtained the required registrations, which he said creates a doubt as to whether the authorities have a sincere need to ensure the people's rights to health and life. Accordingly, he said that a complaint jointly prepared by the SLMA and the said colleges was handed over to the HRCSL requesting them to look into this situation, and take appropriate measures regarding the violation of the people's rights. He also said that they hope to raise their voice on this matter in the future through appropriate means.

Meanwhile, the SLMA and several professional colleges including the Ceylon College of Physicians, the College of Surgeons of Sri Lanka, the Sri Lanka College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and the Sri Lanka College of Paediatricians had recently turned down a meeting chaired by Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella to discuss lowering prices of drugs, emphasising that the priority should be given to solve the prevailing drug and medical equipment shortage, and to stop the purchase of unevaluated drugs. 

As the country is seeing a serious economic crisis at present, the relevant authorities have, over the past few months, been finding it difficult to procure the required funds to import pharmaceutical drugs and other medical supplies. Although the situation has subsided to some extent due to various grants and donations from several organisations and countries, the hospitals are still affected by the shortages of drugs and medical equipment. However, the Ministry has been stating that the provision of treatment can be managed even in the midst of the shortage of drugs and medical equipment.

Claiming that there is no idea as to when this issue will be resolved, the relevant committees within the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) had recently decided to inform the World Health Organisation (WHO) in this regard. “The WHO has helped us in various ways during many crisis situations like the Covid-19 pandemic. We have also presented a series of 10-point proposals to the authorities. We submitted it to the WHO. We have requested them to help us by providing necessary material and technical support, as well as exerting necessary pressure on the authorities,” GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said. 

Most recently, the Ministry ordered the halt of all non-essential and non-urgent surgeries as a solution to the present crisis.