Hon. K. Kader Masthan

¶ 01 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Hon. Presiding Member, introducing this timely legal reform is truly welcome. Today, medicines lack proper price determination, which is a serious issue—much like many other goods. Setting controlled prices for medicines through appropriate regulations is laudable.

¶ 02 There are also acute shortages of many key medicines. Some hospital pharmacies do not have certain drugs, and even private pharmacies face shortages. These must be rectified promptly. In the past, there were accusations of medicine shortages. The people gave you power for a “system change,” but even after nearly a year, there is no improvement.

¶ 03 We foresee more challenges ahead. Previously, instead of MBBS posts, RMO posts supported the service. Now, as many will retire within months and RMO appointments are not being made, there could be a significant shortfall. If RMOs are not appointed and we try to replace them only with MBBS doctors, that too lacks feasibility. We must think now about alternatives, rather than discussing shortages six months later. Rural populations, already under the poverty line, will be most affected.

¶ 04 There are staff shortages in the health sector—whether in Vavuniya, Mannar or Mullaitivu. Due to staff shortages even at peripheral units and central dispensaries, people face severe difficulties. Please act now to prevent a major problem.

¶ 05 Administrative bottlenecks also hurt services. For rural or divisional hospitals, doctors could earlier make petty expenditures up to certain limits; now, even simple repairs must go through tenders, delaying work for months. Authorized tender vendors are in urban areas, not rural, causing further disruption. Restore practical thresholds so doctors can meet urgent needs, with proper oversight, without freezing services under the pretext of preventing corruption.

¶ 06 In many of our areas, nearly 50 percent of pharmacies registered with the NMRA have no pharmacists on duty; names are listed only for registration. Likewise, about half of the clinics operate without any registration records—undermining trust. Address these issues systematically, rather than endlessly blaming the past. People mandated change for action.

¶ 07 Recently, a Health Ministry vehicle from Welioya transporting family health staff to Jaffna PDHS was allegedly driven by personnel under the influence; this was widely reported. No legal action has been taken; instead, those involved are being protected. Such lapses erode public trust—do not allow them.

¶ 08 For the 2023–2024 academic year, although activities began at many universities, students for the Bachelor of Pharmacology have not yet been admitted in some places; in some universities intake is pushed to 2025, leaving students idle for a year. Please resolve this.