Open letter to the Health Minister Dr. Senaratne

Dear Minister,

In the last few months, the dengue epidemic has gone from bad to worse; the hospitals can’t cope with the influx, but as usual, like in a bull in a china shop, you have decided not to allow the dengue vaccine to be used in Sri Lanka.

If first world countries like Singapore and Malaysia can allow it, why not a third world country like Sri Lanka? Is it because no one is greasing the specialist in charge? Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama at the Angoda Hospital is openly blocking it. Why? As the minister, you must take charge and give leadership to the industry.  

The pharma industry is suffering because of your shortsighted decisions to please the public. Stupid price control. Decisions are often based on outdated, unsubstantiated decisions. If issues are raised, you shout them down. You verbally abuse people on television. It is very sad what you have done to the industry. You think you are doing a great job because you are surrounded by jokers like Dr. Rumy, Saman Rathnapriya, and Dr. Upul. They feed you all the garbage, while thousands are getting infected by dengue. The GMOA is in crisis, again, because you are neither willing to listen or talk to them.

The GMOA is also becoming like you, getting ready for a bucket fight, while the bodies are piling up in the mortuary. The GMOA is a disgrace to its founders. The way you are going, it won’t be long before the people and the medical professionals get onto the streets to get rid of you and the GMOA leaders. They are fast getting sick of the way you are doing things in the ministry.

A disgusted medical practitioner