The Ministry of Health has decided not to approve leave for traveling abroad to the currently limited number of specialist doctors, including anesthesiologists. Its secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta said that several areas where there is a severe shortage of doctors in the health service have been identified. Sri Lanka Latest News
The secretary also stated that if they go abroad without informing the ministry, they will be fired and necessary further action will be taken. There are a very limited number of specialist doctors in certain fields in Sri Lanka and many crises have arisen in the health service in Sri Lanka due to the emigration of such doctors in the past.
The secretary stated that more than 600 doctors have gone abroad for specialist training and about 300 of them are scheduled to return to the island this year. The Secretary mentions that after their arrival, the current shortage of experts in each field will be alleviated to some extent.
The Association of Government Medical Officers revealed that 274 medical specialists have left the country during the one-year period ending May 31. The association says that 842 rank and file medical officers have also left the country during that period.
