The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has raised concerns over a serious shortage of essential medicines in Sri Lanka’s healthcare system, including painkillers, antibiotics, and drugs for high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney diseases.
GMOA media spokesperson – Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe has stated that, according to official data as of May, around 180 essential medicines, along with various medical and surgical equipment, are currently in short supply.
He also emphasized that cancer patients in particular, have been impacted by months-long shortages of a key drug, resulting in treatment limitations.