UNFPA chief warns economic crisis pushes Sri Lanka healthcare system to fall
Anjali Sharma
GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 18th August. The Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem of UNFPA the UN sexual and reproductive health agency on Wednesday warned that the Sri Lanka is in the midst of the worst socio-economic crisis in its history, and the once robust health-care system is nearing collapse, with patients at risk from power shortages, a lack of medicines, and equipment shortages.
Dr. Natalia Kanem said that “The current economic crisis has far-reaching consequences for women and girls’ health, rights and dignity,”
She said “Right now, our priority is to respond to their unique needs and safeguard their access to life-saving healthcare services and support.”
The agency noted that over 215,000 Sri Lankan women are currently pregnant, according to data from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health including 11,000 adolescent girls, and around 145,000 women will deliver in the next six months.
UNFPA is appealing for $10.7 million to urgently meet the sexual and reproductive health needs, and protection needs, of women and girls in Sri Lanka, according to a press release issued by the agency.
The agency said that this funding would go towards life-saving medicines, equipment and supplies, including supplies for the clinical management of rape and services for domestic violence survivors.
It would supply 10,000 delivery, maternity and dignity kits and provide more than 37,000 women with cash voucher assistance for reproductive health services, expand services for violence survivors, and support 1,250 midwives.
UNFPA stressed that with infrastructure and transportation challenges, childbirth could remain a life-threatening prospect for those unable to access skilled medical care, it concluded.
Comments are closed.