The Government Medical Officers Association has asked the Health Ministry to look into a number of health-related problems of both in and out patients at the State-run Colombo National Hospital.

The GMOA has found that due to the non-availability of laboratory facilities and lack of adequate stocks of drugs, doctors are compelled to ask patients to purchase drugs from private pharmacies and

do required medical tests at private laboratories.

GMOA Colombo National Hospital Branch Secretary Dr. Upul Gunasekara told The Island that patients were being advised to do important clinical investigations at private hospitals as the full functions of medical laboratories in State-run hospitals had ceased to exist. Test tubes for blood collection, syringes, gauze and bandage and required medical examinations could not be obtained at most State-run hospitals.

He pointed out that medical investigations such as advanced cardiac tests for acute Myocardial Infraction, lipid profile and dengue antibodies were not being done at State-run hospitals. This situation had caused a great financial burden to ordinary patients to a large extent. The GMOA had also suggested to the Health Ministry to appoint an audit clerk to each ward to assess the progress made during a specified period. The audit clerk would have to be responsible for waste of drugs and patients’ meals, maintenance of the ward and all accounts work.