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ABC News
ABC News
Business
South Asia correspondent Avani Dias and Som Patidar in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's economic crisis has turned into a national emergency, and its people are now calling for help to save lives

Saman Kumara says he was left shivering and crying after realising the health system had collapsed to the point that newborn babies' lives were at risk. (ABC News: Som Patidar)

During a brutal shift last year, Sri Lankan doctor Saman Kumara did something he'd never done before — he recorded a desperate voice message asking for help to keep newborn babies alive.

Dr Kumara was used to harrowing days working as a neonatologist at one of Colombo's busiest hospitals during the COVID pandemic.

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