Saline shortage due to SPC managerial shortcomings - Healthcare Minister

Irangika RANGE, Sandasen MARASINGHE and Disna MUDALIGE

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena told Parliament yesterday that the recent shortages of saline in Government hospitals were due to managerial shortcomings of the State Pharmaceutical Corporation (SPC).

A special investigation was in progress in this regard, the Minister said. "We will take stern action against those responsible at the conclusion of this investigation," he further said.

It is the SPC which imports stocks of saline required by the State hospitals, he said.

Minister Sirisena was responding to an oral question raised by UNP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera.