A recent audit report has exposed extensive stock wastage within the Ministry of Health, revealing that vital medical supplies procured under the Covid-19 Emergency Response Project had expired in storage before reaching patients in need.
The investigation found that blood glucose test strips valued at nearly Rs. 219 million expired while stored at Medical Supply Unit No. 54. Shockingly, the report notes that these strips were already nearing their expiry date upon arrival in 2023, making timely distribution impossible.
Despite having large quantities idling in storage, hospitals continued to purchase similar blood glucose indicators at inflated prices — including Rs. 59 million in 2022 and Rs. 52 million in 2023 — through regional procurement channels. Additionally, glucometers and lancet needles, which are typically provided free of charge, were bought at a cost of US$87,680, further adding to unnecessary expenditure.
The audit also uncovered serious lapses in cold-chain management, leading to the expiration of Atracurium injections worth over Rs. 38 million. Nitroglycerin sublingual tablets valued at Rs. 71 million similarly went to waste. In total, 892 medical supply items amounting to approximately Rs. 900 million had expired in warehouses by December 31, 2024.
Highlighting the scale of negligence and financial loss, Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights, said the findings reflect longstanding failures in procurement and storage accountability.
He pointed out that previous allegations of fraud and malpractice under former Health Ministers — ranging from substandard drug imports to large-scale misappropriation — have yet to be properly investigated. Despite multiple complaints lodged with the Criminal Investigation Department and the Bribery Commission, Dr. Sanjeewa said progress has stalled, and corrective action against responsible officials remains absent.
He stressed that urgent reforms and accountability are needed to prevent further wastage of taxpayer-funded medical resources critical to public health care.
