40 die daily due to shortage of medicines – SPC

THURSDAY, 04 APRIL 2013 

A senior official of the State Pharmaceuticals Corporation (SPC) confirmed that there was a severe shortage of medicines in hospitals throughout the island due to the Treasury not issuing sufficient funds for the Corporation. As a result at least 40 patients die in hospitals without getting medicines for their sicknesses. Annually Rs.125 billion is allocated for health and out of it Rs.25 billion is set apart to buy medicine.

However, a senior official of the supplies section said at least Rs.38 billion is needed to buy medicines needed for country's hospitals. He said shortage of medicines in hospitals has severely inconvenienced patients as well as medical staffs. It has been revealed that there is a shortage of 17 very important drugs in cancer hospital. Normally, the Bank of Ceylon and People's Bank provided loans for the Corporation when it needed but so far the Treasury has not given any instructions to do so this year.

Rein in cost of living People protest in the Embilipitiya Town urging the government to rein in the increasing cost of living, electricity bills, transport, and other goods and services. Pix by Rupasena