Sri Lanka’s healthcare systems crumble under economic crisis

Sri Lanka’s acute economic crisis has begun to tell on its healthcare system with critical medicines running out for want of hard currency to import supplies, experts say.

“The limited access to US dollars, import regulations, and fuel shortages have stalled supply chains and distribution systems so that the health ministry may not be able to order regular medicines and items needed to supply all the hospitals and service providers as during normal times,” says Kumari Vinodhani Navaratne, a Colombo-based public health specialist formerly affiliated with the World Bank and currently with the Asian Development Bank.

Navaratne says that serious shortages of critical items needed to maintain health services are worrying healthcare providers and those who need health services. She said that owing to Sri Lanka’s current economic crisis, routine non-emergency surgeries, medical procedures, and some laboratory tests have been placed on hold to conserve stocks.

Read the rest of this story on qz.com. Become a member to get unlimited access to Quartz’s journalism.