Sri Lanka’s Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella on Thursday told parliament that there is a shortage of over 100 types of drugs used in government hospitals.
The minister said that 1,347 types of medicines are being used in government hospitals, but the hospitals are facing a shortage of 112 types of medicines.
He said that the government spends 50 billion rupees (155 million U.S. dollars) per year on the import of medicines.
According to him, an addition of 40 billion rupees (124 million dollars) has been given by the ministry of finance upon his request and the shortages will end soon.
Sri Lankan hospitals have faced medical shortages since 2022 due to the country’s economic crisis.
