The Country’s People are Suffering as Nerve before
Sri Lanka’s Director General of Health Services Dr, Asela Gunawardena said that no country produces low-quality medicines, and such low quality medicines are not imported to Sri Lanka. “We do not import anything called low-quality medicines. There is an emergency purchasing process that is taking place. Nevertheless, medicines are imported via the State Pharmaceutical Corporation,” Dr, Gunawardena noted.
There have been instances where medicines have failed the quality test, and so far, in 2023, “we have 43 medicines that have failed the quality test.” He said. The issue regarding the use of low-quality medicines in Sri Lanka has been brewing for months, after patients in several areas of the island nation reported compilations while deaths were also reported after the administration of certain drugs.
On month of June, reported the death of a patient undergoing treatment at the Peradeniya Teaching Hospital, in the Kandy district, after being given anaesthetic bupivacaine. The news sparked concern among locals, especially since the incident came less than two months after a pregnant woman was reported dead at hospital, after being given an Indian anesthetic drug.
Even prior to these incidents, Transparency International Sri Lanka had filed a fundamental rights petition, challenging the decision of the Cabinet and health authorities to procure drugs from unregistered suppliers. The petition further questioned the national drug regulator’s role in providing a waiver of registration to allow for the swift import of essential drugs.
On 31 July, Freedom People’s Congress (FPC) member of parliamentary Prof G.L.Peiris blamed the Government’s policies and actions for forcing the public to face four simultaneous crises. “ The people are suffering as never before,” the MP said.
The MP highlighted that with precisely 365 days remaining until the commencement of the Presidential election process, the citizens of county demonstrate no inclination to grant a mandate to the current President and Government.
“ Instead they intend to end this curse and appoint a new Government which is sensitive to the suffering of the people,” he said.
Peiris commented on the crises faced by the people and emphasised that the country’s health service has completely collapsed, resulting in people being sceptical about seeking treatment at state sector hospitals.
“ The people’s focus is not their potential well-being in the next 25 years but rather on their immediate survival, worrying if they will manage to stay alive until tomorrow,” the MP noted.
He highlighted the distressing situation in hospitals, where people are losing their lives and receiving sub-standard medicinal drugs while Government remains incentive to the situation.
According to the MP, the Government’s only response to the crisis is the issuance of various statements and gag orders targeting medical professionals issued by the Secretary to the Minister of Health.
Peiris called ‘Aswesuma’ social welfare program a mere farce and also slammed the Government’s alleged attempts to fleece the people of their EPF savings. He urged all parties to unite in their efforts to oust the current Government.
