Hospitals face dearth of critical medical equipment

By Sheain Fernandopulle   

A significant shortage of medical equipment including stent  items can be observed in the ‘Swastha’, the information management  system of the availability of drugs.   

According to the the ‘Swastha’, stent items including esophageal stent, Double J stent 3Fr are in shortage.  This concern has also been raised by Dr Chamal Sanjeeva, the President of the Union of Medical and Civil Rights Physicians.   

He claimed that critical surgical equipment is in shortage, with about 3,800 out of 5,800 surgical items being unavailable.   

He proceeded to say that medical equipment necessary for  emergency services is also facing a shortage, sparking serious  concerns.   

Responding to the allegations, Health Minister Dr. Ramesh Pathirana dismissed the claims.   
Addressing the media, he stated that they had not received any reports of such cases from hospitals.   
Nonetheless, the Minister said the Health Ministry would further look into the matter as there could be shortcomings.   

Besides, he said there are no official reports of surgeries being halted due to the unavailability of equipment as of now.