President of the doctors for medical and civil rights Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa has questioned the expenses borne in the disposal of substandard medicines, surgical items and chemicals in the past two years.
Quoting from a latest report by the National Audit Office, he said a private company was paid Rs. 109,756,890 and Rs. 13,487,006 in 2023 and 2024 for that purpose by the Health Ministry’s medical supplies division.
However, no bidding had taken place and there was no required approval from both the technical evaluation and procurement committees, he said.
The report pointed out that an amount higher than the agreed upon expense had been paid, he said.
Dr. Sanjeewa went onto say that his attempts to inform the deputy health minister about substandard medicines and surgical equipment presently stored in Kerawalapitiya, Galle, Iranamadu and Anuradhapura have failed.
He requested a proper inquiry into those and that the culprits be brought to book.
Leave a comment