Responding to an urgent request from the Government of Sri Lanka, Government of India has gifted 50,000 ampoules of Furosemide injection 20mg/2ml to cater to its shortage in Sri Lankan hospitals in the immediate term.

The consignment was today handed over by the High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka H.E. Santosh Jha to the Minister of Health and Mass Media of Sri Lanka, Hon. Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa at an event held at the Ministry of Health. Dr Anil Jasinghe, Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Dedunu Dias, Director, Medical Supply Division, and other senior officials from Government of Sri Lanka also attended the event.

India has been a reliable friend and first responder for Sri Lanka during times of difficulties and shortages, including in the health sector. During the Covid-19 pandemic, India supplied over 25 tons of medicines on a special aircraft to Sri Lanka in May 2020; gifted 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine in January 2021; and 1 lakh Rapid Antigen Test kits in February 2022. In the wake of the economic crisis in Sri Lanka, in February 2022, a USD 1 billion Credit Facility for supply of essential items including medicines was extended in March 2022 for a period of one year, which was subsequently extended until March 2024 on the request of the Government of Sri Lanka. Over 26 tons of drugs and other medical supplies were provided to Peradeniya University Hospital, Jaffna Teaching Hospital, Hambantota General Hospital, among others, in April-May 2022 to meet the acute shortage of medicines.

The health sector has also been an important focus area for India’s development cooperation initiatives in Sri Lanka. Notable initiatives include the island-wide ‘1990 Suwa Seriya’ ambulance service; construction of 150-bed multi-specialty hospital at Dickoya; construction of a new surgical unit at Teaching Hospital, Batticaloa; infrastructure creation and up-gradation, as well as equipment supply, at Jaffna Teaching Hospital, District Hospitals at Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu; among others.