Govt. under fire for decision to postpone non-urgent surgeries

By Rathindra Kuruwita

The government’s decision to postpone non-urgent surgeries, at the state-run hospitals, have placed a moral burden on health professionals, health sector trade unionists say.The announcement was made by the Ministry of Health yesterday.

 Meanwhile, health unions claim that they have been warning that there are shortages of drugs, medical equipment, and chemicals used in labs, for almost two years.

 Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Physicians’ Union Alliance for Medicine and Civil Rights said the government decision endangered patients’ lives and added a moral burden on health professionals.

 JVP-led National People’s Power (NPP) committee member, Dr, Nalinda Jayatissa said that widespread corruption, at the Health Ministry, was one of the reasons for the health crisis. He called upon the government to take action to eliminate corruption at the Health Ministry.

“Even at a time like this, corrupt deals are cut with the political authority’s blessings. A few months ago, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella visited the factories of Indian pharmaceutical producer, Kausikh Therapeutics, along with the NMRA’s Chief Executive Officer. This is a company blacklisted for producing substandard pharmaceuticals,” he said.