Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella has told parliament that there is a shortage of over 100 types of drugs used in government hospitals.
Rambukwella said that 1,347 types of medicines are being used in government hospitals, but the hospitals are facing a shortage of 112 types of medicines.
The minister said that the government spends 50 billion rupees (155 million U.S. dollars) per year on the import of medicines.
An addition of 40 billion rupees (124 million dollars) has been given by the Ministry of Finance upon his request, the minister said, adding that the shortages will end soon.
Sri Lankan hospitals have faced medical shortages since 2022 due to the country’s economic crisis. ■
