Doctors afraid to prescribe medicines from private pharmacies, delaying vital surgeries
Thursday, 10 July 2025 - 7:09 pm
Doctors in leading state hospitals are showing reluctance to prescribe medicines, surgical items to be purchased from private or third parties in light of the recent allegations made against Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne, a leading neurosurgeon, informed sources said.
The specialist who is attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital is embroiled in a legal battle over allegations of selling medical equipment valued at Rs. 50,000 to patients for Rs. 175,000 through a private company
As a result, doctors are reluctant to ask patients to purchase urgently needed medicines and surgical items from outside, even when there are shortages within the state hospital system.
“This situation has forced us to suspend or delay a number of surgeries,” a hospital source said.
Essential items such as suture materials, some painkillers, and equipment for orthopedic surgeries are currently in short supply in many hospitals.
Irrespective of this situation, doctors fear being accused of misconduct if they refer patients to buy them privately.
This is said to be particularly serious at the Colombo National Hospital and Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital.
In light of this situation, the medical frate ity urges the Health Ministry to issue relevant guidelines as to how they should act in these situations.
Meanwhile, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) also raised serious conce over the growing trend of non-medical individuals publicly commenting on complex medical and surgical decisions wa ing that such irresponsible behaviour is damaging public trust in Sri Lanka’s healthcare system.
