Severe shortage of drugs in State hospitals
By Skandha Gunasekara-
August 29, 2014
Health sector trade unions yesterday revealed details of a severe shortage of drugs in the country, while drugs issued by OPDs in government hospitals gradually ground to a standstill.
Speaking to Ceylon Today, Secretary of the Society of Government Pharmacists, Ajith Tilakaratne said no OPD patient was receiving drugs from State run hospitals while the drugs issued by Osu Sala was adequate for three days at the most. "Although the government said that drugs can be bought from Osu Sala, it is untrue, and misleading. The Osu Sala outlet in Colombo 7 is issuing drugs to patients that will last only three days. Patients in need of drugs for a longer period are in a grave situation," he noted.
He said only patients in hospitals, in critical condition were receiving drugs while the Out-Patient Department (OPD) does not issue drugs as a result of an ongoing strike of health sector officials.
"As a result of the authority's inaction in resolving our issues, those who are in serious need of medication are being forced seek treatment in private hospitals and purchase their drugs at exorbitant rates," he stressed.
With regard to the Osu Sala, Tilakaratne said the National Hospital Pharmacy usually has a staff of 80 pharmacists issuing drugs while the Osu Sala in Colombo 7 only has 10 pharmacists who would be responsible for the issuance of drugs.
"If the authorities are able to meet our demands, we can end the strike and resume work at State hospitals islandwide within an hour," he added.
Meanwhile, several attempts to contact Director General of Health Services,
Dr. Palitha Mahipala failed and Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe, Director General of Medical Supply Division declined to comment.
By Skandha Gunasekara-August 29, 2014
Health sector trade unions yesterday revealed details of a severe shortage of drugs in the country, while drugs issued by OPDs in government hospitals gradually ground to a standstill.
Speaking to Ceylon Today, Secretary of the Society of Government Pharmacists, Ajith Tilakaratne said no OPD patient was receiving drugs from State run hospitals while the drugs issued by Osu Sala was adequate for three days at the most. "Although the government said that drugs can be bought from Osu Sala, it is untrue, and misleading. The Osu Sala outlet in Colombo 7 is issuing drugs to patients that will last only three days. Patients in need of drugs for a longer period are in a grave situation," he noted.
He said only patients in hospitals, in critical condition were receiving drugs while the Out-Patient Department (OPD) does not issue drugs as a result of an ongoing strike of health sector officials.
"As a result of the authority's inaction in resolving our issues, those who are in serious need of medication are being forced seek treatment in private hospitals and purchase their drugs at exorbitant rates," he stressed.
With regard to the Osu Sala, Tilakaratne said the National Hospital Pharmacy usually has a staff of 80 pharmacists issuing drugs while the Osu Sala in Colombo 7 only has 10 pharmacists who would be responsible for the issuance of drugs.
"If the authorities are able to meet our demands, we can end the strike and resume work at State hospitals islandwide within an hour," he added.
Meanwhile, several attempts to contact Director General of Health Services,
Dr. Palitha Mahipala failed and Dr. Kamal Jayasinghe, Director General of Medical Supply Division declined to comment.
