News
Joint account with WHO to obtain urgent medical aid
The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Health Ministry are implementing a mechanism to establish a joint bank account that will accept assistance from foreign nations to solve the current forex crisis and ensure better transparency.
Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told the Sunday Times the move was to expedite the process of securing drugs and medical equipment which were in short supply as pharmaceutical importers were finding it difficult to find dollars locally amidst the depreciation of the rupee.
The minister said the world body agreed to be on board and contributed US$ 1.5 million to the joint account, following a recent meeting with WHO Representative Dr. Alaka Singh.
“Even though we have US$ 400 million worth financing facilities, securing imports of certain vital drugs for next one and half months would be challenging, considering the shortage of dollars and other formalities like placing orders and shipments. The new mechanism will be in place to secure medicine and drugs on a timely basis,” Minister Rambukwella said, while stressing bringing WHO on board would ensure transparency since corruption allegations had been levelled in the past.
Many foreign nations had expressed their willingness to assist Sri Lanka under the new mechanism, the minister said. China has committed for US$ 25 million worth drugs and equipment. Bangladesh has agreed to provide US$ 2.3 million as assistance, while Indonesia offered US$ 1.5 million in medical assistance.
As about 60 percent of imported drugs come from India, New Delhi has agreed for Sri Lanka to pay back the loan in Sri Lankan rupees due to the lack of dollars for the purchase of US$ 200 million worth of medicines under the Indian loan facility.
In addition, India on Friday sent 25 tons of medical supplies worth Rs 260 million as a donation to Sri Lanka.With France’s gift of 300,000 euro worth of anaesthetic and respiratory medicines this week, it would be adequate to conduct operations in all emergency operating theatres in the country, Minister Rambukwella said.
“We are thankful for the countries which came forward to assist us in these difficult times recognising the fact that we have the one of the best healthcare systems in the region with a high life-expectancy rate,” Minister Rambukwella said.
Earlier this week, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe called for an urgent report from health officials on the availability of essential drugs in Sri Lanka and the drugs which are in short supply.
During a meeting held on Wednesday at the Prime Minister’s office, it was revealed 76 essential medicines were in short supply while the government is yet to pay local pharmaceutical suppliers Rs.33 billion in arrears.
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