Dec 31, Colombo: The Ministry of Health has appointed a special team to immediately take measures to resolve the drug shortages prevailing at state hospitals.

According to the Ministry of Health there is a shortage of about 80 medicines at state hospitals and Minister of Health, Nutrition and Indigenous Medicine, Dr. Rajitha Senaratne has instructed the relevant authorities to take immediate action to import these drugs.

Accordingly, necessary provisions and instructions have already been issued, the Ministry of Health said.

Officials of the Health Ministry said due to the political crisis prevailed in the country for nearly two months, the procurement process got hampered and imports of drugs were delayed.