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CMLS President warns of impending drug shortage
By Rathindra Kuruwita
There might be a shortage of about 80 essential drugs as health officials were finding it difficult to purchase them due to the current foreign exchange shortage, College of Medical Laboratory Science (CMLS) President, Ravi Kumudesh told The Island yesterday.
Kumudesh said letters of credit had not been opened for medicine supplies for 2022. Although the country was in a crisis, the health officials were unconcerned, Kumudesh alleged.
“Usually. the preparation of estimates is done in January and usually the final estimates are done by August. Letters of credit have to be opened fast, for it takes a few months for the shipments to arrive here. By this time, usually, we would have started the process of storing the shipments of medicines we had received,” he said.
However, the letters of credit to purchase medicines have not yet been opened. Thus, the medicine purchasing process has been delayed by four months, he said.
“We are managing so far because a number of medicines were used less in 2021 due to the pandemic. However, if the government does not take necessary steps we will face a crisis within a month or so. When I look at the data and plans presented by health officials, I am surprised by their lack of concern. Maybe, there is a hesitancy on their part to present accurate statistics,” Kumudesh said.
Kumudesh said that at least USD 40 million was needed to procure the required medicinal drugs, but the government had allocated only USD 4 million. “The Finance Ministry said that they could provide necessary funds to buy medicines through the issuance of Sri Lanka Development Bonds.
“Given our reputation globally, I don’t think we should have high hopes. The government must provide adequate funds, immediately if the impending crisis is to be averted,” he said.
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“Improve the quality of infrastructure and services provided to tourists visiting the country.” – President
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Accordingly, the President instructed officials to pay special attention to this matter and take necessary actions.
President Disanayake issued these instructions during a discussion held today (17) at the Presidential Secretariat with officials from the Ministry of Tourism.
During the discussion, officials briefed the President on the budgetary allocations designated for the Ministry of Tourism and the projects being implemented under those funds.
With the tourism sector taking a new step forward, Sri Lanka aims to attract three million tourists this year. The discussion also extensively covered the utilization of these budgetary allocations for the development of essential infrastructure to support this goal.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tourism and Foreign Employment Vijitha Herath, Deputy Minister of Tourism Dr. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage, Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja, along with a group of senior officials from the Ministry of Tourism, attended this discussion.
The French Navy Ship PROVENCE arrived at the Port of Colombo on a formal visit on Sunday (16 Mar 25) morning.
She was welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with the time-honoured naval traditions.
The 142.20m long Destroyer is Commanded by Captain Lionel SIEGFRIED and manned by a crew of 160 members.
During the stay in the island, crew members of PROVENCE will visit some tourist hotspots in the country and the ship is scheduled to depart the island on 20 Mar.
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