India has rushed to the rescue of Sri Lanka to mitigate the acute shortages of a life-saving medication in hospitals there. The Indian government despatched 50,000 ampoules of Furosemide injection (20mg/2ml), a diuretic that is used to treat conditions such as heart failure and edema, to the island nation on Thursday.
The shipment of medical equipment was handed over by Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Santosh Jha, to Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa. Some senior officials, including Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Director of the Medical Supply Division, Dr. Dedunu Dias, also marked their presence on the occasion.
In a statement issued by the Indian High Commission in Colombo, it was stated that this was carried out after the Sri Lankan government made an urgent request. The statement pointed out India’s role as a reliable friend and first responder during times of crisis, particularly in the health sector. This medical assistance has been provided as a gift by the Indian government.
India has always been a leader in helping Sri Lanka during times of necessity. India provided over 25 tons of medicine via a special flight in May 2020, 500,000 Covishield vaccine doses in January 2021, and 100,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits in February 2022 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
In the aftermath of Sri Lanka’s economic crisis in 2022, India extended approximately $4 billion in support with a keen focus on health. A $1 billion line of credit for essential supplies, including medicines, was initially established in March 2022 and recently extended through March 2024. Over 26 tons of medical assistance were dispatched to hospitals, including Peradeniya University Hospital and Jaffna Teaching Hospital, during this period to mitigate acute shortages of medicines.
India’s commitment to the growth of Sri Lanka’s health infrastructure includes initiatives like the ‘1990 Suwa Seriya’ ambulance service, a free pre-hospital emergency medical service that was introduced in July 2016 with an India grant of $7.56 million. The service has expanded from 88 ambulances to a fleet of 297, covering all nine provinces of Sri Lanka, accessible through the toll-free number 1990 or through the Suwa Seriya app.
In addition, India has helped construct a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital in Dickoya, established a new surgical ward in the Batticaloa Teaching Hospital, and gifted medical equipment to various healthcare centers, such as in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu.
