A severe shortage of essential anesthetic support drugs in Sri Lanka’s major hospitals is endangering pregnant mothers undergoing cesarean sections, with doctors warning of life-threatening surgical complications.
A worsening drug shortage in Sri Lanka is placing pregnant mothers in serious danger during cesarean surgeries, with major hospitals running out of IV Maxolon and IV Ondansetron critical drugs used to reduce complications after anesthesia.
Specialist Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, Chairman of the Medical and Civil Rights Doctors’ Union of Sri Lanka, said the unavailability of these drugs creates a significant risk during operations. He explained that anesthesia can cause unconscious patients to aspirate food particles into the respiratory system, potentially leading to death. The missing drugs are normally administered to prevent this complication.
Doctors are now being forced to perform cesarean surgeries without these preventive medications, heightening the risk of fatal complications if problems arise during the procedure. Dr. Sanjeewa urged the Ministry of Health to urgently address the crisis.
The shortage is not limited to anesthetic support drugs. Powerful antibiotics, including IV Vancomycin, IV Clarithromycin, and IV Meropenem, are also running low in major hospitals. The high cost of sourcing these medicines privately further burdens patients and their families.
