(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – The Minister of Health Dr. Keheliya Rambukwella yesterday (12) gave instructions to the relevant officials of the Ministry to relax certain traditional rules and regulations and take all necessary measures to supply the people with necessary medicines.
The Minister presiding a special discussion held at the Ministry today, also pointed out that if there is a shortage of medicines while the necessary funds are allocated, the relevant departments of the health sector should take responsibility for it.
The officials of the Ministry of Health including Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta, top officials of the Medical Supplies Division, State Pharmaceutical Corporation, State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Corporation, National Medicines Regulatory Authority, Asian Development Bank and World Bank were present on this occasion.
The Minister said that the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) should timely update the necessary information properly and take the full responsibility of continuously providing the medicines needed by the people without any shortage and for that, should establish a good relationship with other related institutions.
The Minister of Health pointed out that the officials should focus on the systematic use of international loans or aid in obtaining medicines and slow actions in such projects will cause many problems.
The Minister of Health advised the relevant officials to identify the medicines needed by the patients with priority and get the help of specialist medical associations for their proper distribution.
Minister Rambukwella also instructed to obtain updated information about the medicines through hospital directors promptly and to pay more attention to the medicines for cancer patients and to give priority to the provision of such medicines.
The Minister of Health further said that although the local suppliers and manufacturers have shown more interest in supplying medicines and medical equipment, due to some existing obstacles, it cannot be implemented properly and therefore instructed the officials to pay more attention to such situations and prepare a program to provide suppliers with the necessary facilities.
State Minister of Health Specialist Dr. Sita Arambepola, Secretary of the Ministry of Health Janaka Sri Chandragupta, Additional Secretaries, Deputy Director Generals and officials of many institutions affiliated to the Ministry of Health participated in the discussion.
