27 April 2023 01:01 pm Views - 756
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday that a total of 112 types of pharmaceuticals were in short supply by now out of the 1,347 types that are used in hospitals in Sri Lanka.
The Minister told Parliament that some 150 pharmaceuticals had been in short supply earlier but it has now been reduced to 112.
Responding to a question raised by SLPP MP Jagath Kumara, the Minister said a total amount of Rs. 50 billion was spent for pharmaceutical imports annually and added that an additional Rs. 40 billion was allocated by the Cabinet for pharmaceutical imports this year.
Responding to another question that the hospital sector has faced a crisis due to the migration of specialist doctors, he said a committee has been appointed to look into the matter and address the situation.
The Health Minister said the number of specialist doctors have now increased to 2,646 from 1,740 in 2017 when the decision to increase the retirement age from 60 to 63 was made.(Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera)