Sri Lanka, June 27 -- It has now become common in many government hospitals for patients to be asked to buy important medical items like artificial knee transplant equipment and other surgical tools from private companies, as hospitals often do not have them in stock.

This was revealed by Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa, President of the Trade Union Congress of Doctors for Civil Rights.

He said that these items are then taken straight into the operating theatres for surgeries.

Dr. Sanjeewa told the media that the recent arrest of a specialist doctor involved in a racket of importing and selling surgical equipment illegally at the Sri Jayewardenepura Hospital is not surprising. He said this incident shows a bigger problem in the health system, whe...