Sri Lanka running low on insulin

Government hospitals are facing a shortage of insulin, a vital medication for many patients. 

Additional Health Secretary Dr. Saman Ratnayake told News 1st that the supplier who was awarded the tender to supply insulin had failed to deliver the medication.

He said that the Health Ministry is making attempts to purchase the insulin from two other suppliers. 

The Additional Health Secretary told News 1st that 50,000 vials of insulin will be imported via the emergency purchase system in order to address the existing shortage. 

He said the insulin shipment will reach Sri Lanka by September 2023.

The Health Ministry said that the Medical Supplies Division had already run out of insulin. 

Many diabetes patients depend on the insulin provided by government hospitals, and the shortage has crippled services at clinics as well.