Patients inconvenienced due to insulin shortage in hospitals

 Patients visiting clinics across multiple hospitals are facing severe difficulties due to an insufficient supply of insulin, chairman of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa said.

 

He said that some hospitals, including those in Matara, are not providing insulin injections to patients at all. 

 

While the Medical Supply Unit claims that insulin has been distributed, hospitals are receiving less than the required amount. As a result, patients must purchase injections from external pharmacies at a higher cost, he said.

 

Dr. Sanjeewa also urged the Health Ministry to investigate whether hospitals are misrepresenting the availability of medicines in their clinics. 

 

Additionally, he highlighted concerns that unregistered medicines are being sold at low prices in pharmacies near hospitals.

 

He revealed reports of a racket where patients are misled into believing certain medicines and eye drops are unavailable in hospitals, prompting them to purchase these from outside sources. 

 

He called on the Health Ministry to take immediate action to address these issues.