The devastating health consequences of Sri Lanka’s economic collapse

Abstract

Sri Lanka’s sudden economic collapse has broken its healthcare system. Sonia Sarkar reports on how the country might claw back years of progress, lost in months

Sri Lanka’s health crisis

“…Sri Lanka’s leaders need to improve their policy on health system strengthening in both the short term and the long term. One of the most immediate concerns is a shortage of essential medicines: the current donation based stopgap solutions are not sustainable 5. The government must support initiatives to increase local production of pharmaceuticals, improve national information systems to include real-time tracking of drug shortages, and establish mechanisms to stabilise power and fuel supply to essential healthcare facilities, including hospitals.…”

“…During the first quarter of 2022, lengthy power cuts and medicines shortages undermined the provision of effective healthcare across the country 4, 5. Efforts to resolve these problems have fallen far short of requirements, and over 150 essential drugs remained out of stock as of November 6.…”

The acute economic recession: WHO diabetes target 2030 becoming unrealistic in Sri Lanka

“…More than 95% of Sri Lankan people rely on free public health care services. 3 The health system has performed consistently better than that of neighboring countries. The COVID-19 pandemic and the consequences of years of financial mismanagement and political instability now had resulted in the complete economic collapse the country has ever seen.…”

“…In Sri Lanka, the health system is free, with universal access at its core. More than 95% of Sri Lankan people rely on free public health care services 3 . The health system has performed consistently better than that of neighboring countries.…”

“…The scale of the problem can be exemplified by considering the impact on diabetic patients. In Sri Lanka, it is estimated that 1.1 million people live with diabetes and the cost per head is approximately 144.6 USD 3 . In the current market, a glucose meter costs about 5000 Rs (14 USD) (An increase of 19%), 25 glucose testing strips cost around 2000 Rs (6 USD) (An increase of 11%), and one 10 ml vial of soluble insulin increased from 600 Rs (1.6 USD) to 1930 Rs (5.9 USD) (An increase of 53%) 8 .…”