India has provided urgently needed medicines to Sri Lanka in response to an urgent request from Colombo, the Indian High Commission announced on Thursday.
As part of this assistance, India donated 50,000 ampoules of Furosemide injection (20mg/2ml) to address shortages in Sri Lankan hospitals. The consignment was handed over by Indian High Commissioner Santosh Jha to Minister of Health and Mass Media Nalinda Jayatissa.
The Indian High Commission highlighted that India has consistently stood by Sri Lanka during crises, particularly in the health sector. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic, India supplied:
- Over 25 tonnes of medicines via a special aircraft in May 2020
- 500,000 doses of Covishield vaccine in January 2021
- 100,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits in February 2022
Following Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, India extended a USD 1 billion credit facility in March 2022 to support essential imports, including medicines. The facility was subsequently extended until March 2024 at the request of the Sri Lankan government.
Additionally, in April-May 2022, India supplied over 26 tonnes of medical supplies to hospitals, including:
- Peradeniya University Hospital
- Jaffna Teaching Hospital
- Hambantota General Hospital
India has also played a key role in Sri Lanka’s health sector development through various initiatives, including:
- The island-wide 1990 Suwa Seriya ambulance service
- Construction of a 150-bed multi-specialty hospital in Dickoya
- Establishment of a new surgical unit at Batticaloa Teaching Hospital
- Infrastructure development and equipment upgrades at hospitals in Jaffna, Kilinochchi, and Mullaitivu
India continues to be a reliable partner in Sri Lanka’s healthcare sector, reinforcing its commitment to strengthening bilateral ties and providing humanitarian assistance.
