News
Worries arise over shortage of vital Meropenem Injections for treating bacterial infections
By Rathindra Kuruwita
Concerns have emerged regarding the availability of Meropenem injections, a crucial treatment for bacterial infections, as Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, co-convener of the National Movement of Health Professionals (NMHP), revealed that only about 1.8 vials of this essential medication are expected to be in the health ministry’s stores by next week. This revelation comes despite recent efforts to procure Meropenem injections on an emergency basis.
Dr. Sanjeewa said that on average, the monthly consumption of Meropenem injections hovers around 50,000 to 60,000 vials, indicating that there should be an ample supply to meet demand. In fact, based on current usage rates, the available stockpile could theoretically last for nearly three years.
“So, the question arises: why is the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC) actively seeking additional supplies of Meropenem injections?” Dr. Sanjeewa queried during a media briefing held on Thursday (28).
The situation has raised eyebrows within the medical community, with healthcare professionals and organizations expressing their concerns. Ravi Kumudesh, President of the College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS), asserted that the primary issue at the health ministry revolves around the ineffective utilization of resources.
“The quality of management at the health ministry has deteriorated significantly, and the current situation appears to be worse than ever. There was notably less corruption in the management of resources before the economic crisis,” Kumudesh said.
News
Amendment of the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No. 3 of 1897
Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No. 3 of 1897 is the principle law that regulates the prevention of the spread of communicable diseases and the implementation of quarantine measures.
However, at present, it has been observed that the risk of spreading communicable diseases across borders have significantly increased due to considerable increase in the
international and domestic movement of persons, goods, and services and frequent international travel and trade have led communicable diseases spread rapidly between countries.
Accordingly, although cabinet approval was granted in the 2016 to amend the Quarantine and Prevention of Diseases Ordinance No. 3 of 1897, the relevant amendment bills have not been presented to Parliament.
Therefore, as per the proposal made by the Minister of Health and Mass Media, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the appointment of a Review Committee to study the amendment bill that has been prepared and propose suitable amendments to meet the current health challenges as well as challenges that may arise in the future, taking into consideration the experience obtained during the epidemic situations that have occurred in the past.
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Cabinet approves donation of USD One Million to the Government of Nepal
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the President to make a donation of United States Dollars One million as humanitarian and economic relief to the government of Nepal
Latest News
Sun directly overhead Kalpitiya, Talawa, Sinharagama, Galkadawala, Nachchaduwa, Padikaramaduwa, Gomarankalla and Verugal about 12.10 noon today (01)
The sun is going to be directly over the latitudes of Sri Lanka from 28th of August to 07th of September due to its apparent southward relative motion.
The nearest places of Sri Lanka over which the sun is overhead today (01) are Kalpitiya, Talawa, Sinharagama, Galkadawala,
Nachchaduwa, Padikaramaduwa, Gomarankalla and Verugal about 12.10 noon.
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