SLCMD to boost health care services

The Sri Lanka Chamber of Medical Devices (SLCMD) was launched last week in Colombo to voice the concerns of the medical devices industry and enhance the quality of health care services.

The new chamber was launched to be abreast of the rapid changes in medical technology and health care devices across the world. SLCMD comprising over 50 medical equipment suppliers will focus on enhancing the quality of medical technology.

SLCMD, President, S. Premakumar Weyhenage said that the new chamber is an integral part of the health care industry and added that it will help provide quality medical devices to improve the standard of health care services.

The objectives of the new chamber are to lay the ground for future health care entrepreneurs and make Sri Lanka a manufacturing hub for medical devices. The SLCMD will help Sri Lanka's medical industry to be an ethical industry ensuring quality and efficient health care service.

Medical equipment suppliers help upgrade the standard of the medical industry through new technology and make health care affordable to patients. Health Ministry statistics reveal that there are around 970 registered medical equipment importers, 35 local manufactures, 5,345 registered devices and 10,150 brands in the country.

SLCMD aims at improving the quality of medical devices to be on a par with countries in the region and pool resources to develop the medical industry. The need for advanced diagnostic devices and better treatment has grown with the rise in the ageing population and increase in non-communicable diseases such as cancer and diabetes.

A quarter of Sri Lanka's medical expenditure is for the purchase of medical equipment and supplies. A proper plan for the purchase of equipment is vital to enhance the quality of medical devices.

Medical experts said that there are a large number of unregistered medical equipment suppliers in the country who provide low quality devices. Such suppliers are a hindrance to develop the health care sector and steps should be taken to penalise them.

Director, Medical Supplies and Technology of the Health Ministry, Dr. Hemantha Benaragama said that while medical equipment suppliers enhance profits they should also focus on providing quality products to the industry and help boost the safety and efficacy of the health care services.

He said the Health Ministry will introduce the World Health Organisation guidelines for medical equipment soon. The Ministry will guide and facilitate the import of quality medical products.

The country could save a large amount of foreign exchange by improving treatment and providing patients with effective health care services. The number of patients seeking overseas treatment has dropped drastically due to the improvement in the health care sector in the country.

“Quality equipment in hospitals will help reduce the number of medical professionals leaving the country for better training and exposure abroad and harness talent in the country,” medical experts said.

SLCMD will encourage more manufacturing opportunities in the country which will help reduce imports and save foreign exchange.

Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena said that the ministry will not tolerate wrong-doers and added that strict penalties will be imposed on them. The Health Ministry is constantly being accused of supplying low qualityof medical devices and drugs.

The Ministry does not get the quantity of drugs and equipment on time after the bidding process. We hope that SLCMD will help solve this problem,” the Minister said.

LF