Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Thursday Sep 19, 2024
Tuesday, 14 February 2023 00:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
A serious scarcity of equipment used for medical services has emerged in hospitals throughout the country, as authorities have not been able to address the escalating medication crisis, All Ceylon Medical Officers’ Association (ACMOA) yesterday claimed. They pointed out that certain medicines are only available in limited quantities in the Health Ministry stores and also within the regional drug stores.
Health professionals, including medical officers, have reiterated that the drug shortages in all Government hospitals are worsening by the day, and there is also a shortage of medical equipment.
Although there are about 1,300 types of medicines available, there is a shortage of between 140 to 150 types of essential medicines so far, according to the All Ceylon Medical Officers’ Association.
As per the association, there is a severe shortage of Insulin given to diabetic patients, Aspirin given to heart patients, Metformin, several types of syrups given to small children, basic antibiotics, painkillers, anaesthetics, and cancer drugs and drugs given to kidney patients.
ACMOA Vice President Dr. Nishantha Samaraweera said a large number of drugs are running out of stock during this month, noting that the Government’s intervention to restore these drug stocks is very lethargic.
“It is of no use for the Health Ministry to say that they have allocated Rs. 322 billion in numbers when it cannot be materialised to sustaining lives at this critical moment,” he asserted, urging the Ministry to allocate the funds necessary to at least dispatch the medicines.
“There is a serious shortage of drugs starting from emergency medication to cancer drugs. Nasal tubes, urinary tubes, cannulae, and needles used to draw blood, all these types of medical equipment stocks are limited,” he added.
In addition, he said there is a lack of equipment required for surgeries related to fractures and spinal cord-related surgeries. “Most of the surgeries related to the spinal cord have been halted at hospitals. The patients can die due to the lack of sufficient stocks of necessary medicines,” Dr. Samaraweera pointed out.
