Sri Lanka hospitals 'lack basics'

Some hospitals are struggling to cope with war casualties and routine cases

Several hospitals in the rebel-held north of Sri Lanka are running short of basic medicines, says the Red Cross.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) blames the problem on a lack of regular deliveries, resulting from the conflict in the country.

Medicines which are running low, it says in a report, include paracetamol, antibiotics and vaccines.

The ICRC also says the limited number of staff available in some hospitals has become a "critical issue".

According to the report, medical centres are struggling to cope with the burden of war casualties, in addition to routine case loads.

The ICRC has come to an agreement with the Sri Lankan Health Ministry to provide hospitals in Anuradhapura, Batticaloa, Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya districts with equipment and supplies.

It also provides support for night ambulance services and mobile health clinics.

Fighting in Sri Lanka has intensified since January, when the government pulled out of a formal ceasefire deal with Tamil Tiger rebels.

The government has vowed to crush the separatist rebels by the end of this year or the next.

The rebels want an independent state for Sri Lanka's Tamil minority.

At least 70,000 people have died since the war began in 1983.