• GMOA seeks clarity on guidelines and mechanisms to follow when govt. hosps. run out of medicines/supplies 

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday called on the Ministry of Health to urgently issue clear guidelines and put in place a formal mechanism for doctors and hospital staff on how to advise patients in the event they have run out of medicine in state institutions to provide for treatment. 

GMOA stated that medical professionals are in limbo over whether they should ask patients to bring pharmaceutical drugs and medical supplies from outside when government hospitals run out of them, and hence called on the Ministry of Health to urgently issue clear guidelines to follow in such cases.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, GMOA Spokesperson, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said that in certain cases, doctors are left with no choice but to ask patients or their families to buy essential drugs or surgical items from outside. He added that this happens when hospitals don’t have the necessary stocks, or when what is available is ineffective. “If a particular drug or equipment is not available, we get the patients to bring them from outside and proceed with the treatment or the surgery. For instance, at times, antibiotics are available at hospitals, but, we know that they’re ineffective. Some available eye lenses may not work. In such events, we explain the situation to the patients, and they bring what’s needed from outside,” he explained. Although doctors are doing this in good faith to save lives, he said that they are exposing themselves to legal and professional risk by doing so without any official policy or framework in place. “This is being done for the benefit of the patients. But now, there’s general agreement among doctors that without proper guidelines, this should not continue. It’s affecting patient care. Pending lists will get longer. That’s why we’re asking for clear guidelines and a mechanism," he pointed out.

Dr. Wijesinghe also said that if someone has committed fraud or taken money through illegal means in the process of getting patients to bring in drugs and medical equipment from outside, action should definitely be taken against such individuals.

This request comes in the wake of the arrest of a senior consultant neurosurgery specialist attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne. She was taken into custody last month (June) by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption, along with two others, on charges of directing patients to buy neurosurgical equipment such as external ventricular drains and ventriculoperitoneal shunts at inflated prices through unofficial suppliers.

Attempts to contact the Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni and the Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe proved futile.