UNDP and WHO Sri Lanka hand over vital medicines to Ministry of Health
COLOMBO – A consignment of medicines and medical supplies to address the immediate needs of the ongoing socio-economic crisis, were handed over to the Ministry of health by Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, Resident Coordinator, United Nations in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (14).
The procuring and delivering of vital and essential medicines and medical supplies for the country was undertaken by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Sri Lanka together with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Sri Lanka. Financial support for the program was provided by the United Nations’ Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
The medical and medicinal supplies were handed over in the presence of Minister Keheliya Rambukwella, Malin Herwig, Officer-in-Charge, UNDP in Sri Lanka, Dr. Alaka Singh, Representative, WHO in Sri Lanka and the participation of wider representatives from partner organizations.
Highlighting the role of the UN in contributing towards health sector security, Hanaa Singer-Hamdy, Resident Coordinator, United Nations in Sri Lanka noted that a number of favourable health indicators over the past years demonstrate that Sri Lanka’s health system was one of the most robust in the region. “Together, we must ensure that the current crisis does not reverse these impressive results. Therefore, a comprehensive sectoral response is required to address the pressing needs that have arisen in the medical sector. Working in close coordination as outlined in the Humanitarian Needs and Priorities Plan (HNP) through WHO-led efforts and capitalizing on UNDP’s global procurement network, the UN will continue to support and create lasting impacts on lives and livelihoods across the country,” she said.
Speaking on the timeliness of the procurement of medical items, Dr. Anver Hamdani, Director Medical Technical Services, Coordinating In Charge/ COVID-19, Ministry of Health acknowledged that in the current Sri Lankan context, the medical sector has been gravely affected due to the shortages of medicine and other vital items in order to serve the people in need. “The Ministry of Health is grateful for the support provided in the procurement of life saving essential and non-essential medical items for the people of Sri Lanka and look forward to the continued collaboration in this effort,” she added.
Sri Lanka’s socio- economic crisis has pushed the health care system, with many vital and essential medicines and medical items in the public and private sectors being are out of stock. Concurrently, the price of drugs have increased by 30% island wide.
UNDP and WHO working closely with the Ministry of Health identified gaps in availability of medicines, consumables, devices and equipment across the country, and have accordingly procured these vital and essential medicines and medical items.
Speaking to WHO’s role as the UN’s technical lead on health sector efforts, Dr. Alaka Singh, Representative, WHO Sri Lanka noted, “Essential medicines have been particularly impacted by the current crises, with critical implications for the health system. Access to affordable and quality health care is crucial social protection, especially in difficult economic times. WHO appreciates donor response to the UN call for resources for medicines and to UNDP for accelerated procurement. WHO is continuing to work with the Ministry of Health to safeguard health in Sri Lanka.”
Commenting on the role of UNDP in bringing together stakeholders and facilitating such processes in times of need, Malin Herwig, Officer-in-Charge, UNDP in Sri Lanka stated, “At this critical time, UNDP has utilized its global procurement network to quickly get the needed medicines to Sri Lanka, working closely with WHO Sri Lanka, along with all relevant counterparts to respond to the current context of the health sector. The medicines handed over today is one such effort, contributing towards the needs of the people of Sri Lanka.”
-UNDP
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