• MSD says funds and instructions provided 

As the health sector gradually recovers from its shortage of medicines and medical equipment, the Health Ministry’s Medical Supplies Division (MSD) stated that health institutions have been authorised and facilitated to procure drugs as required at an  institution level.

The MSD made this statement in response to reports of a shortage of machines in the Dialysis Unit at the National Institute for Nephrology, Dialysis and Transplantation (NINDT) in Colombo. According to the reports, this shortage has forced the limitation of dialysis sessions per person to 60 due to the lack of functioning machines.  

Speaking to The Daily Morning on Monday (27), Health Services (Medical Supplies) Deputy Director General Dr. G. Wijesuriya stated that this decision aims to expedite the procurement of medicines and address shortages reported in the health sector. However, he noted that the MSD has not yet been informed of any medical supply shortage at the NINDT. 

He further stated that the Ministry provides health institutions with the necessary funds to procure medicines at the institutional level to address shortages at hospitals. 

“We have granted permission for hospitals to procure drugs at the institutional level to simplify and expedite the process. This will be highly effective in addressing medicine shortages. They have also been authorised to source drugs from local manufacturers if required. We have provided them with both funds and clear instructions,” he added.  

Meanwhile, late last year (2024), the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to enter into buy-back agreements for the procurement of locally produced medicines and medical supplies from identified institutions for a period of one year to address the shortage of medicines.