Sri Lanka, June 14 -- The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has reported a shortage of several essential medicines, including painkillers, antibiotics, and medications for high blood pressure, diabetes, and kidney diseases.

The association's media spokesperson, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, stated that there is currently a shortage of about 180 essential medicines in the central drug store.

"Currently, there is a shortage of these medicines as well as a number of medical and surgical equipment in the health system. According to official data available as of May, there is a shortage of 180 essential medicines at the central drug store," Dr. Wijesinghe explained.

He noted that over 50 of these medicines are also scarce within the ...