The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has launched an investigation into the purchase of laboratory reagents worth over Rs. 2.5 billion for the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) in Colombo during the past three years, allegedly carried out without the approval of the Medical Supplies Division (MSD), with some of the purchased reagents found to be contaminated or close to expiry.
The complaint was lodged by Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa. Speaking to The Daily Morning, he said that the CID recorded a three-hour long statement from him on Monday (1) with regard to the complaint.
“For three years, purchases worth over Rs. 2.5 billion have been carried out as ‘regional purchases’ without the proper approval of the MSD. Some of the reagents purchased were contaminated or about to expire. This is a serious matter that compromises both public funds and patient safety,” he said.
He said that the investigation would have to focus on several parties such as senior officials and laboratory technicians attached to the Ministry of Health and the NHSL, as well as officials from the companies that supplied the reagents in question. Allegations levelled by Dr. Sanjeewa in the complaint include awarding contracts to only one selected company, purchasing reagents at unapproved prices, and procuring items that were of poor quality or those that were already expired.
“The financial loss to the Government in this case is suspected to be far greater than the loss recorded in the controversial substandard medicines scandal during the tenure of former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella. Audit reports show that this questionable purchasing mechanism, involving Rs. 2.5 billion, continued until April of this year. We hope that the CID will carry out the investigations and bring those responsible before the law as soon as possible,” he added.
Efforts to reach Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni for comment on whether the Ministry has initiated an internal inquiry into the matter were unsuccessful.