The Health Ministry has imported 6 containers of inferior surgical gloves, Colombo National hospital Director has complained to higher authorities of the Health Ministry.

In addition a chronic shortage of drug thyroxins used for Caesarean sections and chest drain catheters are out of stock, the Government Medical Officers Association revealed at a media conference held at GMOA head office on March 23.

GMOA spokesman Dr. Upul Gunasakara told the media that surgeons were reluctant to operate because poorly sterilized gloves of low quality could endanger the patients lives. In this regard National hospital Director had informed the relevant authorities but his plea had fallen on deaf years.

Dr. Gunasakara said that some kind of essential catheters chest drain tubes used for blood removal during operations were found to be out of stock. The GMOA was of the opinion that administrative lapses had caused severe problems in the Health Ministry and as a result the lives of a large number of patients were in danger.

When The Island contacted Colombo National hospital Director Dr. Hector Weerasinghe, he said that it was the duty of the Medical Supplies Division to replenish the drugs orders placed by the hospital.

When the Island contacted Medical Supplies Division Director Dr. Sarath Weerabandara, he said that he was not aware of low quality surgical gloves imported and denied the accusations made by the GMOA on the shortage of thyroxin tablets and chest drain tubes.