An international medical journal published in the United Kingdom has revealed that 1,489 doctors, including specialists, have left Sri Lanka between 2022 and 2024 due to the ongoing economic crisis. This mass departure has resulted in a financial loss of approximately Rs. 12.5 billion to the country.
The report highlights the serious impact this brain drain has had on the nation’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved regions where medical services are already limited.
According to current figures, Sri Lanka’s healthcare workforce comprises around 23,000 medical professionals, including 2,800 specialists. The departure of such a significant number of doctors has placed an added strain on an already burdened healthcare system.
It has also been confirmed that, by 2024, the number of Sri Lankan doctors who have migrated to the United Kingdom and joined its healthcare system has increased by 120% compared to 2019.
