Health services face uncertainty over circular on acting specialist doctors

Colombo, July 21 (Daily Mirror) - A circular issued by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIM) has sparked concern over the functioning of specialist medical services, with a doctors' trade union warning that it could disrupt healthcare delivery across the country.

The circular, issued by the Senior Registrar of the PGIM on June 26 to all Directorates of Studies, states that acting specialist doctors who have completed their specialist medical training but have not yet obtained the PGIM Board Certificate should not independently examine patients, make clinical decisions, or issue medical recommendations within their specialty.

Doctors' Trade Union Alliance for Medical and Civil Rights Chairman and Specialist Dr Chamal Sanjeewa said the directive has created a serious challenge, as many hospitals are already facing a shortage of specialist doctors.

He said the Health Ministry currently deploys doctors who have completed their local postgraduate specialist training as acting specialists to base hospitals and specialist units across the country to address staffing shortages.

According to Dr Sanjeewa, the new instructions make it difficult for these acting specialists to function independently, potentially affecting the delivery of specialist healthcare services.

He urged the Health Ministry Secretary to immediately issue clear guidelines to all specialist and acting specialist doctors on how the circular should be implemented to avoid disruptions to patient care.

Dr Sanjeewa also questioned the timing of the directive, noting that many specialist units in hospitals across the island are currently being managed by acting specialist doctors who have not yet completed their overseas training but continue to provide essential services.

He further said that many acting specialist doctors also engage in private practice in the areas where they serve. If they are not legally permitted to independently examine patients or make medical recommendations under the new circular, the legal status of those private medical services also becomes unclear.

Dr Sanjeewa called on the Health Secretary to clarify the matter publicly to ensure patient safety and maintain public confidence in the country's healthcare system.