Shortage of medical supplies in Vanni

[TamilNet, Monday, 10 April 2000, 06:33 GMT]
Hospitals in Vanni have not received their first quarter allocation of Medicines, X'ray films and laboratory chemicals which is seriously affecting treatment of patients, hospital sources said.

From Monday until X'ray films arrive, the x'ray facilities in Vanni hospitals will be closed, sources added.

Hospital authorities said that hospitals have already been experiencing shortages as only 30% of the required supplies reached Vanni hospitals during the second half of 1999.

Stocks of Panadol, asthma medication and medicines for malaria have completely runout and patients have been forced to search for the medicines in outside pharmacies.

Although Kilinochchi district Health Director has made urgent requests to the Health ministry and officials of other voluntary organizations, he has not received any constructive replies, sources said.

If this situation is allowed to continue lives of patients will be at risk, hospital authorities warned.