Media outcry including DM report prompts psychiatrist to accept transfer

20 January 2025 11:12 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 5 Bookmark

A A A

The psychiatrist who was reported to have given false reasons to avoid posting to District General Hospital in Mullaitivu has accepted her transfer and begun her duties following significant media outcry including the Daily Mirror report on January 15 and also as a result of the public scrutiny over her initial reluctance to take up the post.

The case has sparked widespread discussion with medical associations warning against setting a precedent that could encourage other specialists to avoid rural assignments.

The issue of specialists hesitating to work in rural areas, particularly in the Northern and Eastern Provinces, has become a growing concern. These regions face a severe shortage of psychiatrists which continues to impact healthcare delivery.

The psychiatrist in question had earlier requested a reversal of her transfer and applied for sick leave, citing research commitments as the reason for her unwillingness to accept the post, despite being reportedly in good health.

Her absence initially disrupted psychiatric services at the hospital further straining its already limited resources. However, her decision to take up the post has brought some relief to the situation.

Meanwhile, medical associations, including the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) and the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA), have emphasized the need for better infrastructure, transport links, and incentives to encourage specialists to serve in remote regions.

Sources have also revealed that 50 psychiatrists have migrated in the past two years, further exacerbating the mental healthcare crisis.

Furthermore, while 90 hospitals require psychiatric services, only 60 currently have psychiatrists on staff, the sources added.

Comments - 5

Justmy2Cents Monday, 20 January 2025 11:40 AM

The problem with the medical field is that they put the brightest students in Colombo and then moving the others to rural areas as they come down the list. Also, giving priority to local students over international students. The international student who comes first in the ERPM exam is sent to some rural area which is also not fair. They went through the same mill (internship) to only be placed at the bottom of the list. You first need a Z-score system where even the international students gets placed and has an incentive to work in the country before getting fed up and going abroad. I'm also not certain that giving preference for the brighter students to be in cmb and the others in the rural areas is the right thought process. The rural areas must not be downgraded just because they are rural. Infact, the brightest students should probably go to these areas, because these areas will have less facilities and they need bright students to become creative in saving lives.

9 26

Naman Monday, 20 January 2025 01:06 PM

Rural postings for Specialists and Non-specialists should be coming up with financial incentives. SLdoctors leaving the country to greener pastures is NOT helping to improve the health services. Should we re-impose the six years of mandatory service to motherland?

5 15

Nalin Gooneratne Monday, 20 January 2025 01:12 PM

It is not only doctors, other professionals, are reluctant to go to rural areas. Improve the facilities in rural areas, especially have good schools to educate their children.

2 15

Patients Monday, 20 January 2025 02:16 PM

Hope she will perform her duties well as a psychiatrist without penalising the poor patients!

2 7

kp92 Tuesday, 21 January 2025 01:19 AM

No one wants to change. Everyone just wants magical fixes. If nothing else, this government really has held up a mirror to society and shown everyone how hypocritical we all are, every one of us.

0 0

222

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.