Sri Lanka, May 17 -- Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media, Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni, has firmly denied reports of a chickenpox medicine shortage in government hospitals, stating that both the spread of the disease and any supposed shortage are being misrepresented.

Speaking at a media briefing, the Deputy Minister clarified that there is no widespread outbreak of chickenpox and emphasized that adequate stocks of necessary medication are available in the public healthcare system.

He further explained that the government has never included a chickenpox vaccine in its national immunization program and that reports suggesting a shortage of an unused vaccine are misleading and intentionally designed to create panic.

Dr. Wijemuni expressed c...