Sri Lanka’s healthcare system is facing a growing crisis as the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has raised concerns over a severe shortage of essential medicines, while the Joint Council of Paramedical Professionals prepares for an island-wide strike beginning tomorrow.
Speaking to the media, GMOA spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe warned that hospitals across the country are grappling with the unavailability of key medications, including antibiotics, painkillers, insulin, and drugs for heart disease and hypertension, as well as critical surgical equipment.
“By the end of April, the Medical Supplies Division had exhausted nearly 180 types of medicines. An additional 50 drugs are now unavailable across the hospital network. This is not an isolated issue. It’s a national crisis impacting both central and regional health services,” Dr. Wijesinghe said.
Doctors fear that if the shortages persist, patient care and emergency treatments could be severely compromised, leading to increased health risks, treatment delays, and possible fatalities.
Meanwhile, the Joint Federation of Paramedical Professionals (JCPP) announced it will launch a countrywide token strike tomorrow (22) from 8:00 a.m., protesting against the government’s continued failure to resolve long-standing issues within the healthcare sector.
Ravi Kumudesh, President of the JCPP, said the strike was being held as a last resort following months of unacknowledged appeals to the Ministry of Health, the Public Service Commission, and other relevant authorities.
“For over two months we’ve sought constructive dialogue on critical matters affecting our members and the system at large. There has been no meaningful response,” Kumudesh said, adding that the government must now bear full responsibility for the disruption this strike may cause.
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