SRI LANKA- The World Health Organization (WHO) has offered to donate to Sri Lanka US$4 million worth of required medical supplies.

According to the President’s Media Division, the vow was made by WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a message of congratulations to President Ranil Wickremesinghe on his election to the office.

Dr. Tedros noted that WHO is aware of the ongoing economic situation in Sri Lanka and the effects that Covid-19 is having on the country’s healthcare system.

“To this end, I am pleased to inform you that I have tasked the WHO Health Emergencies Programme to take immediate action to meet the most urgent health needs of the people of Sri Lanka,” he said.

He added that in collaboration with WHO’s Regional and Country Offices, as well as the Sri Lanka Ministry of Health and other relevant ministries, WHO will procure and deliver essential medical supplies valued at USD 4 million.

Procurement has already been initiated and the list, including delivery times will be shared through the WHO Country Office.

According to Colombo Gazette, the WHO Director-General has stated that the organization will closely monitor the population’s health risks, as well as the effectiveness and resiliency of the health system, and will offer the required technical assistance to improve provincial health services in Sri Lanka.

As a result of the economic crisis, Sri Lanka’s healthcare system is also under pressure.

Notably, as people have taken to the streets to protest the ongoing economic crisis, Sri Lanka is experiencing an unprecedented shortage of medications.

More than 80% of the medical supplies used in Sri Lanka are imported. Nearly 200 medical supplies are currently in limited supply.

This includes 76 vital, life-saving pharmaceuticals, such as antibiotics, rabies vaccines, and chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients as well as blood thinners for people who have had heart attacks or strokes.

Only emergency procedures, especially for cancer and heart patients are performed due to a severe shortage of critical surgical supplies and anesthesia. Only emergency patients are admitted to some government hospitals.

According to Colombo Gazette, the WHO Director-General has stated that the organization will closely monitor the population’s health risks, as well as the effectiveness and resiliency of the health system, and will offer the required technical assistance to improve provincial health services in Sri Lanka.

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