A Red Cross report blames the problem on a lack of regular deliveries, but it says that, under an agreement with the government, it is managing to get supplies in.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is providing hospitals in Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts with medical equipment and supplies for the treatment of sick and war-wounded people, Red Cross says.

The limited number of staff available to care for routine cases alongside war casualties has become a critical issue for several hospitals in northern Sri Lanka.

The ICRC is also lending its support to the health ministry’s child immunization programmes and to ante-natal care provided for pregnant women in Vavuniya North. Almost 50 children were vaccinated and nearly 20 women received ante-natal care during the month of March.

The report also says that staff shortages have become a critical issue, with medical centres struggling to cope with the burden of war casualties in addition to routine case loads.

Govt reaction

The supplies of medicine are safely dispatched upto Vavuniya but what happens beyond that point is unknown, says Dr.Athula Kahandagamage, Secretary, Ministry of Health.

ICRC is helping out in the distribution of medicine and other equipment in the rebel held areas, Dr.Kahandagamage added.