Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, said several hospitals — including the Ridgeway Arya Children's Hospital — are facing continuous disruptions in the supply of critical medicines prescribed for children.
He stated that due to irregular supplies, hospitals are increasingly forced to purchase certain medicines from external pharmacies at high prices. As a result, parents are often compelled to buy drugs privately, placing a heavy financial burden on low-income families.
Dr. Sanjeewa highlighted the shortage of Ethosuximide, a vital medication used to control seizures in children. He noted that if parents have to purchase this drug from private pharmacies, it can cost approximately Rs. 30,000 per month for a single child.
He further pointed out that shortages are also affecting medicines distributed through special pediatric clinics, including those treating chronic childhood diseases and kidney-related conditions. The absence of even a single essential drug, he warned, can significantly worsen a child’s medical condition.
Describing the situation as a “serious crisis,” Dr. Sanjeewa urged the government to take immediate steps to ensure a continuous and reliable supply of essential medicines to children’s hospitals nationwide.
