• 6 top-officials in remand, 4 resignations since IVIG scam 

The shortage of officers at the Medical Supplies Division (MSD) of the Health Ministry due to the recent imprisonment of top-level officials could hamper the medical supply of the country, claimed the Deputy Director General of Health Services (Medical Services) II, Dr. G. Wijesuriya.

In response to a question raised by a journalist at a press conference about the allegations levelled by certain parties about the MSD officials who were appointed by the former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, he told the media that the imprisonment of several high-profile officials and prospective resignations could badly affect the services of the MSD and further noted that no recruitments have been done to replace the vacant positions. Dr. Wijesuriya noted that six officials, including its DDG and several Directors, have been arrested in connection with the controversial substandard human intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) procurement scam. He also said that four other officials have tendered their resignations subsequent to the incident. “These vacancies are yet to be filled. Therefore, this shortage could negatively impact the services rendered by the MSD,” he said.

Meanwhile, responding to another question on the delay in releasing several containers of medicines that are currently being held in the ports, he stated that they have identified that certain medicines have failed the quality tests. He said that every medicine that is imported must have an expiration time of at least 24 months. “But, we have identified that a stock of ‘Meropenem’ imported recently has no such expiry period,” he said. He further noted that the MSD is not ready to receive ‘any’ medicine imported to the country, and that the required procedures will be thoroughly followed in receiving the stock of medicines.