Essential medicines donated to Sri Lanka

A donation of essential medicines will shortly be transported by air to Sri Lanka in response to a national shortage of medicines due to the nation’s current political and economic crisis. 

The donation was coordinated in response to a request from Victorian MPs Craig Ondarchie and Pauline Richards, who co-chair the Victorian Parliamentary Friends of Sri Lanka group, to then-Minister for Health Martin Foley in April 2022.    

In response to the request, the Victorian Department of Health secured a supply of essential medicines from the Victorian Pharmaceutical Reserve, with help from HealthShare Victoria (HSV). 

“The medicines we put forward for transport to Sri Lanka had been offered to Victorian health services and identified as being items for which sufficient stock existed and would be excess to needs prior to expiration,” says HSV Director Supply Chain Surety, Kate Warren. 

“This provided a great opportunity to make best use of our supplies and support this initiative, which ensures vital medicines will be available for patients in Sri Lanka,” says Kate. 

The medicines include antibiotics, pain relief medications, anti-inflammatory and neuromuscular blocking agents.  

The consignment has been consolidated at Clifford Hallam Healthcare (CH2) and will shortly be transferred to cargo handlers for transport from Melbourne to Colombo by Sri Lanka Airlines. 

After arrival, the consignment will be distributed by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health. 

Photo: (2022) Consul General of Sri Lanka Kithsiri Herath with Haley Gravenall from CH2 and Luke Maynard, Manager, International Health, Department of Health.