Medicine importation fund to be introduced

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Ministry of Health is taking steps to introduce a new foreign currency fund to obtain grants for the importation of medicines.

Grant Coordinator at the Health Ministry Dr. Anwar Hamdani says approval for the account has been sought from the finance ministry.

Accordingly, Sri Lankan expatriates or any other party overseas that is willing to donate dollars for medical aid, will be able to transfer funds to this account.

Dr. Hamdani adds that discussions are underway with a number of countries including India, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Thailand, China and Singapore to obtain the required medicines for Sri Lanka.

Discussions have also begun with the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

The Health Ministry says Sri Lankans living in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and Canada so far have provided assistance for Sri Lanka to purchase medicines.