Health sector in crisis: Money not released to pay bills for medicines By Damith Wickremasekera View(s): View(s):A crisis is looming in the health sector due to the Treasury not releasing more than Rs 20 billion to settle bills for essential items, including medicines, a senior official said, adding that it is the first time such a large amount has been outstanding. Of this, Rs 10 billion is owed to the Health Ministry. This is because it costs money to import the raw material required to make the medicines in Sri Lanka. A senior Treasury official admitted there was an issue regarding releasing funds to the health sector but that the bills must be properly scrutinised before the money was released. “By the end of December last year, Rs 85 billion was due from the Treasury and we are systematically settling this amount.

Source: Sunday Times September 08, 2018 19:12 UTC