July 16, Colombo (LNW): The Consumer Affairs Authority (CAA) has carried out a nationwide inspection campaign targeting private hospitals and medical laboratories, uncovering a number of violations involving medical supplies and testing materials used in healthcare services.
The special operation, conducted across all districts, involved inspections at several private healthcare institutions to assess compliance with consumer safety regulations and ensure that patients are not exposed to substandard or unsuitable medical products.
During the raids, CAA officials discovered expired and damaged medical items being stored together with supplies still in circulation. Authorities also raised concerns over the condition and quality of certain laboratory materials used for diagnostic procedures.
Among the items identified as unsuitable for use were blood sugar testing kits, laboratory chemicals, dengue detection kits, cardiac-related gels, medical examination supplies, colouring agents and various other laboratory consumables and equipment.
The materials have since been taken into official custody as investigations continue into the alleged breaches. The CAA said institutions found to have violated regulations under the Consumer Affairs Authority Act will face legal action.
The authority added that further inspections will be carried out island-wide as part of ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and prevent the use of unsafe medical products in healthcare facilities.