Sri Lanka’s once robust healthcare system is on the brink of collapse as the country faces an unprecedented economic crisis in 2022. The lack of essential medicines, equipment, and power shortages have made it nearly impossible for medical professionals to provide consistent care to patients. To make matters worse, wages have failed to keep up with inflation, leading to a mass exodus of over 2000 doctors seeking opportunities abroad over the past two years.
The impact of this exodus is especially felt in rural hospitals, where the shortage of healthcare workers has driven more people to seek treatment in the national capital. The lack of availability of essential drugs remains a persistent issue, further straining an already fragile healthcare system.
Journalists Khansa Juned, Léa Delfolie, and Rukshana Rizwie report on the dire situation in Sri Lanka, where the exodus of caregivers has sent the healthcare system into freefall. As the country grapples with these challenges, the need for immediate intervention and support to stabilize the healthcare system is more critical than ever.
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Video “Sri Lanka’s exodus of caregivers sends healthcare system into freefall • FRANCE 24 English” was uploaded on 09/21/2024 to Youtube Channel FRANCE 24 English