Colombo,
Neighboring Sri Lanka is still reeling from its economic woes. The country is 85 percent dependent on foreign imports for pharmaceuticals and 80 percent for medical needs. But their imports have been affected since last year due to shortage of foreign exchange. Because of that, the price of pharmaceuticals in the country has increased drastically due to the increase in inflation.
In this case, the shortage of medicines, surgical equipment and chemicals for laboratories should be addressed immediately. If not, the Sri Lankan Medical Association has warned that there will be a serious crisis in the next few weeks.
In this context, Health Minister Kegaliya Rambukwella announced yesterday that non-essential and non-urgent surgeries are being postponed in government hospitals.
He said that the move is temporary and essential and emergency operations will continue without interruption.