Sri Lanka, Feb. 23 -- Parents of critically ill children are being pushed into financial hardship as government hospitals struggle with continuous shortages of essential medicines, a leading doctors' union claims.

Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights President Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa alleged that several state hospitals - including the Ridgeway Arya Children's Hospital - are unable to maintain a steady supply of key drugs prescribed for young patients.

He said that due to supply disruptions, hospitals are increasingly directing parents to purchase medicines from private pharmacies. In some cases, families are forced to spend nearly Rs. 30,000 per month for a single medication.

Among the drugs in short supply is Ethosu...