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Last Updated : 2024-05-06 22:48:00
15 September 2023 06:46 am - 18 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
With reference to the decision of the health Ministry to recall the retired medical specialists, medical specialists opined that it is neither a feasible nor a longstanding move to address the shortage of specialists.
Speaking to Daily Mirror, Senior Consultant Physician Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama told Daily Mirror, “I don’t know how feasible the decision would be given a spate of reasons.
“There is no guarantee that every specialist who is recalled is willing to continue to work. Some may opt to come whereas some don’t,"
When asked what the prompt step would be to address the migration of doctors, Dr. Wijewickrama said it is fitting to conduct a survey among the specialists who have already migrated and ask for the reasons which persuaded them to migrate, so that the health authorities can assess the conditions and take pertinent actions accordingly.
Meanwhile, speaking to Daily Mirror, Senior Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Namal Gamage of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital said, “I will retire the end of this month and the Health Ministry has requested me to continue as the Cardiothoracic Surgeon on contract basis and I have conveyed my willingness considering the conditions of the patients.
“I will continue until somebody comes or until I wish. However, I may go or may not go,” he added.
Furthermore, another renowned specialist who wished to remain anonymous shared his views with Daily Mirror and stated that he had already retired last June but decided to continue taking note of the patients.
Meanwhile, Dr. Vinya Ariyaratne, President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA), told Daily Mirror that the decision is an interim measure but not a longstanding move.
“Recalling doctors who have retired some years back is also not a rational decision. If retired specialists are to be recalled, the specialists who retired recently and those who are retiring should be recalled. Nevertheless, it’s a temporary solution for the exodus of specialists,” he added.
Furthermore, Senior Consultant Dr. Dileepa Amarasooriya told Daily Mirror that it is highly unlikely that majority of retired specialists desire working in other peripheries.
She also emphasized that the authorities have no other alternatives, but the latest decision is not a sustainable one. (Sheain Fernandopulle)
Siva Friday, 15 September 2023 08:02 AM
"because you all have studied in public money you have to work for minimum pay to the whole life.you can't retire even because it's tax payers money"
Dr. D.R. Sunderalingam Friday, 15 September 2023 09:59 AM
Calling retired specialists is not feasible as some are very old, some don't like to work in remote areas and various problems are there for them. It is better to stop the doctor's going out is to increase their salaries equaling to other countries.
Dr. (Mrs) K.D. Anoma Weerasinghe Friday, 15 September 2023 10:02 AM
This health minister is trying to stop all the facilities given to doctors and this is also a reason for the doctors going aboard. First of all, Kehliya Rambukwella should step down or sacked and replaced with a doctor, all the problems will be solved.
Thakku Mukku Friday, 15 September 2023 10:03 AM
There was a time PGIM diploma holders were made board certified consultants. For a quick and lasting solution with intensive training these experienced doctors they can appoint as consultants. It could be a carrier development for those post graduates too. Further the PGIM maintains unnecessarily high standard on selection of candidates at entry point to keep the competition at highest too is a cause for the very limited output of consultants. There are capable highly skilled senior doctors who couldn't enter due to bad luck at the selection examination. But they are intelligent enough.We know how bad luck has failed candidates at every level in every field. Further we have seen less capable people pass the exam while the capable were left out due to other reasons too.
Ram Friday, 15 September 2023 11:00 AM
Not feasible for Dr Ananda W as the patients the available consultants handle will be reduced. These consultants are not interested in the patients welfare but all the time think of their pockets. Parasites like the lawyers
Fred Friday, 15 September 2023 02:12 PM
Doctors should keep records of patient visits, to record history of the patient, done in all developed countries, has to do with the care diagnosis and treatment of the patient, will prevent serious lapses
Retired Nurse Friday, 15 September 2023 02:49 PM
Some retired specialists may like to help out. After all , all the fingers are not of the same size. The willing ones can be appointed on a locum basis. Jealousy of existing, prevents them from joining. That is human nature.
Retired and re-hired doctors to save patients! Friday, 15 September 2023 04:45 PM
Very genuine suggestion. Retired and re-hired doctors are some one who comes to help us during difficult times. Treat them with respect. They are not here to compete with existing specialist, so there will be no envy or competition, as I see in this forum. They are just a stop gap measure. They need incentives such as station near to their home, Allowances in addition to pension, Flexible hours of duty etc. Increase in new students is a must, as a long term solution.
DD Friday, 15 September 2023 03:00 PM
Let me join the conversation. In the short term, we can tackle the doctor shortage by bringing in foreign doctors, using telemedicine to reduce hospital visits, letting qualified nurses handle routine tasks, making it easier for foreign-trained doctors to work here, and making doctors' working conditions better, perhaps with tax breaks. These steps help keep our current healthcare services running. Looking ahead in the long term, we should think about increasing the number of students in medical schools, giving financial incentives to people who want to become doctors, especially in underserved areas. We can also create programs to support these new doctors after they graduate, like asking them to serve in underserved areas for 10 years and giving them rewards. It's also important to invest in our healthcare facilities, work with other countries, and teach the public about staying healthy. By doing both short-term and long-term plans together, we can solve our healthcare challenges.
navratne willamune Friday, 15 September 2023 03:01 PM
In the 70s doctors had to work for the government for five years before they left the country.that shouldn't have been changed
Nishanthan Friday, 15 September 2023 04:16 PM
Specialist consultants who already retired has secured their places on private hospitals for higher salaries than very low salary provided in the government sector. They won't be ready to work in remote areas. So this idea won't work.
Mr. A. Samarasingha Friday, 15 September 2023 04:31 PM
I know a doctor from the UK, a VOG with extensive Military experience who volunteered to work free for the Military Hospital. He was turned down saying he is too old! He still works full time in the UK and hence volunteered and worked for the FPA Colombo while here. I think he has now returned to work in the UK but he said he would come back if invited.
Dr Tharaka who also will migrate soon Friday, 15 September 2023 08:12 PM
At Siva; People like you who are hateful towards doctors is another main reason why we are not satisfied here leading us to migrate, it s not totally because of the politicians ( who also are very much responsible). Doctors are not slaves to work for minimum payments. You guys deserve to have weda mahattayas like Dhammika or kapu mahattayas/charmerers
Inshi Saturday, 16 September 2023 11:49 AM
Experience in the field of medicine is priceless. Respect the specialists who want to genuinely serve the people of this country. Why don't they have an understudy to take over when the senior reaches a retiring age to not feel the absence and use technology to maintain records of the patients. Proper planning is the need of the hour.
Fred Saturday, 16 September 2023 02:26 PM
No dedicated leadership at the top.Until that happens and I doubt it ever will most skilled personnel will leave, not just doctors as they see no future for their children and the inability to cope with the high cost of living.May alleviate the problem short term in the health sector by following some of the sugestions above that's how I see it.Sri Lanka is also a very difficult society to understand says one thing and then does something else, and always you or me never we, lacking in team spirit.In these circumstances foreign investment could help for those who can afford it
Mohan Sunday, 17 September 2023 10:08 AM
Why conduct a survey for specialists who have already migrated? The reasons are so obvious. Only solution is to train more specialists and improve the economy as quickly as possible.
Susil perera Sunday, 17 September 2023 12:11 PM
Medical students from their 3rd year are preparing for AMC.- Australian licencing exam. Wait for a real crisis in the future if officials dont address this.
Consult retired specialists for their opinion Monday, 18 September 2023 05:12 PM
The blaring headline says a dubious story. Why do you ask experts in service now, about opinion of retired specialists? Who are these experts anyway? The best step is to consult the retired specialist themselves, if they are willing to give a helping hand! We see them doing private practice on their own with dignity.
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