(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine Dr. Rajitha Senaratne says that solutions to the problem of drug shortage at state hospitals will be found by the end of March.
Participating at the establishment of the youth federation of Rajitha Senaratne Foundation in Panadura electorate, Minister Senaratne said a drug shortage arose from the 53-day political crisis last year.
The Minister said all necessary steps have been taken to overcome the shortage of drugs. Drugs for cancer patients have been brought by air freight to Sri Lanka on three occasions.
“My intention is to end the shortage of medicine by the end of March. During the past 3 years, I have provided all medicine without scarcity. It takes only a short time to destroy anything. But it will take a long time to reshape,” the Minister said.
Expressing his views further, the Minister said during the 53-day political crisis created by the President, he was strengthened to win the struggle to re-take the government due to a request made by the children suffering from thalassemia.
The thalassemia patients have informed the Health Minister that the construction of the new ward complex for the thalassemia patients at the Kandy General Hospital was halted due to the crisis.
“However, I told these children that the Thalassemia ward complex will be constructed and opened in April. I gained self-strength in the fight to get the government back on the request of these children,” Minister Senaratne said.
The Minister also said he will take steps to build the second national hospital in Panadura at a cost of Rs. 22 billion. Rs. 14 billion has been allocated for the development of the Kethumathie Maternity Hospital in Panadura. Steps have been taken to develop a number of hospitals throughout the country, he added.
Speaking further, the Minister said he has opened the door to the unemployed youth to enter the health service.
