The Caucus of Medical Parliamentarians Sri Lanka appreciated the steps taken by the Ministry of Health to reduce the shortage of drugs in Sri Lanka.
The Caucus of Medical Parliamentarians Sri Lanka, under the Chairmanship of its Chair (Prof.) Channa Jayasumana, met in Parliament recently.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association, the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and the Director General of the Department of Health Services were called before this meeting to discuss whether there is a shortage of medicines in Sri Lanka and the health worker transfer policy.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association pointed out that a survey conducted in various hospitals of the island confirmed that the shortage of drugs in Sri Lanka has decreased compared to the past. However, they pointed out that the shortage of medicines in some hospitals is due to the lack of storage facilities, distribution and transportation facilities.
It was discussed during the Committee that due to the policies pertaining to the transfers of doctors, they have to face various difficulties and due to this, doctors who go abroad for further training do not return to their country. Due to this, the specialist doctors in many hospitals have to work overtime, and therefore the need to provide additional allowances to the doctors assigned to work in the outlying districts was also taken into consideration.
The Caucus Chair, who requested the Ministry of Health to pay special attention to this matter, appreciated the efforts of the Ministry of Health and the Department of Health Services to reduce the shortage of medicines.
The Committee members also pointed out that there is a need to implement a special payment system to avoid the losses caused by doctors leaving the country. (Parliament)