Procurement of medicine continues amidst donations

US charity offers medical aid worth Rs 2.7 bn

In spite of repeated assurances to procure much needed medicines by utilizing USD 200 mn made available by India, in March last year, the government has not been able to obtain the requited supplies. Of nearly 400 medicine required here, over 150 remained in poor supply. The Health Ministry is under fire for failing to ensure uninterrupted supply as well as cirruption-free procurement, sources said,

Amidst continuing controversy over procurement of medicine, manufactured in India, the Sri Lanka Embassy, in Washington, and Heart to Heart International, United States, issued the following statement: “Under the guidance of Ambassador Mahinda Samarasinghe, Heart to Heart International has now obtained all necessary government approvals for the third in-kind donation of urgent medical aid, worth an approximate of $7,270,756.31 USD (i.e., LKR 2.7 billion), to the people of Sri Lanka. The latest donation includes an extensive volume of urgent medicines, such as: Propranolol Hydrochloride and Labetalol HCL to treat high blood pressure and other heart problems; Potassium Chloride to treat low levels of potassium in the body; Quetiapine Fumarate to treat certain mental/mood conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders etc.; and Allopurinol to decrease high blood uric acid levels and prevent gout (a form of arthritis).

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Washington D.C. is eternally grateful to Heart to Heart International for the generous donations that have been extended to the people of Sri Lanka at this critical juncture. In coordination with the Ministry of Health, in Sri Lanka, and this Embassy, the third donation was expected to reach Colombo, via air, on 29 December 2022. Similar to former donations, all expenses will be borne by Heart to Heart International, and the Ministry of Health will receive the donation for immediate distribution at no cost to the people of Sri Lanka.

Thus far, the total in-kind donation provided by Heart to Heart International to the people of Sri Lanka is worth an approx. total of $19,915,909.38 USD (i.e., LKR 7.4 billion).

Headquartered in Lenexa, Kansas, Heart to Heart International (HHI) is a global humanitarian organization, focused on improving access to health. Since its inception in 1992, HHI has delivered medical aid and supplies worth $2.5 billion to more than 130 countries, including within the United States. HHI responds to natural disasters, both domestically and internationally, by supplying medical relief and mobilizing volunteers. The organization is a 4-star Charity Navigator charity, a BBB Accredited charity and is on the “Philanthropy 400.”