The shortage of medicines in the health sector in Sri Lanka has severely affected the treatment of cancer patients, reports said. The authorities of the Maharagama Apeksha Hospital and other cancer treatment units have revealed that the matter has been briefed to the Health Ministry on several occasions, but no solutions have been provided to date.

Correspondents confirm that there is a severe shortage of 15 type of cancer medicines including trazumab given to breast cancer patients. In the backdrop, the treatment of some cancer patients has completely collapsed.

Despite procurement approval being granted for the import of several medicines, no steps have yet been taken to import them. Accordingly, the Ministry has given permission to purchase about 50 types of medicines under emergency purchase.

MIAP