300 medical graduates who completed internship say no to appointments

29 June 2023 10:56 am - 27 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Country's health sector is facing a dire situation now where some 300 out of 1,400 medical graduates who had completed the internship in April this year, have not obtained appointments as doctors, former NPP MP Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said.

He said addressing a seminar in Colombo on Tuesday that Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) registration could be obtained only after completing the internship.

"The newest issue is that medical graduates who graduate from local universities do not undertake the internship. They are also leaving the country. The government must take steps to stop them leaving the country," he said.

He said some 1,500 to 1,700 medical doctors out of 18, 600 have left their jobs while 748 doctors will be retiring by next month.

“While some doctors are retiring, the ones who go for overseas training are not returning,” he said.

Dr. Jayatissa said the hospital system was on the verge of collapsing due to the shortage of trained staff, pharmaceutical shortage and shortage in medical apparatus.(Ajith Siriwardana)

Comments - 27

Dilshan Perera Thursday, 29 June 2023 11:04 AM

All doctors should go abroad. There's nothing here for them. No future. Should close all unmanned hospitals and wards. Politicians should pay for everything.

Lam Thursday, 29 June 2023 11:07 AM

Politics of our time...who controls them ? Beauty of public funding on them to educate them and Train them? Economic crisis take this country to their level

Mahila Friday, 30 June 2023 04:52 AM

Why don't these guys "Get Lost" before being admitted and trained Medical College (MC)!!!?? Opportunist, Sanctimonious Cows, and not patriotic citizens!!!??? TRAITORS AND SCUMBAGS!!?? Now (PRIVATE MC’S) SCUTTLED by GMOA led, ‘interested’ parties for 4 DECADES, look into and review, implement the BONDS as precondition FOR FINAL MBBS EXAMINATION!!!??? If legally not possible, then MC Entrance2023!!! DON’T CONSULT GMOA or AMS – “CONFLICT OF INTEREST” – Benefits from, STATUS QUO!!??? Aren’t they in reality, 'TRAITORS, VULTURES' in "DISGUISE" portraying. ‘Humanitarian mind set’, CULTURE!?? They, INDEED AREN'T!!!??? Education to ALL equally – applaudable, ‘NOT TRAITORS’, at ‘Public Expense’!??? SOFT PEDALLING, “MEDICAL STUDENTS BOND”, Why?? MBBS, is ‘coveted’, draws APLOMB!!?? Remember ‘MC Bond’ being in place, in 60’s and 70’s!?? Probably, relaxed in 1979 to “appease”, induction of Private MC – NCMC!!!??? GMOA’s “Cat’s Paw”!!?? Used cunningly, as tool – ‘DUPE’ Public!!!???

Jehan Thursday, 29 June 2023 11:08 AM

That is why we need private health education. Do you want government to forcefully keep the doctor's who leave the country after enjoying free education?

sam Thursday, 29 June 2023 11:37 AM

Serious situation. About time the govt thought about free education at university level.

Reformist Thursday, 29 June 2023 12:03 PM

People: Instead of flooding SL universities with 65% of arts stream students, admit more and more students to medical, dental, allied health, optometry, physio therapy, nursing (to be well trained), radiography, sports science, analytical chemistry etc etc. Don't worry if they leave the country as SL university graduates should be ready for the global job markets, not just local job market. Why do we then have thousands of graduates protesting in front of Fort Railway Station demanding Government jobs? They obviously don't mind if they can leave for a foreign job, do they? Who admitted them to universities? Isn't that the problem?. Taught them the wrong subject?

Rishan Thursday, 29 June 2023 12:44 PM

In that case they have to pay the government. A bond must be sign in case they did not serve the nation for minimum 10 years to pay the government. Minimum 10m.

Rathnavali Thursday, 29 June 2023 01:06 PM

Let them pay back the public funds spent on them for medical education before they leave.....! Patriotism at the lowest level .....only good to protest on streets and demand more and more benefits!

DPerera Thursday, 29 June 2023 01:21 PM

It's too late now. Bond must be signed before they start medical degree course and not after they pass graduated

SLEx Thursday, 29 June 2023 02:03 PM

Going to leave this here once again. Stop free education for university level immediately. The best of them will be able to receive full scholarships. The rest will need to obtain a loan from the government with a 15-20 year repayment period and a 3-5 years of grace period. Anyone who does not pay on time or the minimum monthly payment after the grace period will be barred from leaving the country and will affect the credit score of the individual if they wish to take more loans for houses/cars etc... Look into the PTPTN system in Malaysia that ensures everyone gets the opportunity, but at the same time reduces spending tax payer money for the ones who have no desire to learn and better themselves. Students who get first class honours and completes within the stipulated time frame are exempted from paying back the loan.

Upul Thursday, 29 June 2023 02:14 PM

Time to rethink free tertiary education. It seems to have bred a selfish and unappreciative culture.

Jiff Thursday, 29 June 2023 02:55 PM

D S Senanayake was right. Free education didn't add anything to the economy compare to the costs.

lakmal Thursday, 29 June 2023 02:39 PM

They should pay the cost of degree

Libtard Thursday, 29 June 2023 03:00 PM

Free movement is a right in modern world. Also that is why free education doesn't suit today's world. A country can't spend money to create professionals who will move out and work somewhere else.

Ram Thursday, 29 June 2023 03:01 PM

When leaving for training put them on Bonds accepting collaterals/property from them or their near and dear. Bring in legislation that property subject to these Bonds can be sold on provisions similar to Parate Execution with necessary adjustments to enter into possession Bonds

Siva Thursday, 29 June 2023 03:07 PM

Not only doctors everyone in this country is enjoying free education. Jealousy of people who failed to achieve higher levels start to taxpayers money. Salary of doctor is now comparable to ordinary skill people that is why they are leaving the country. Nobody is ready to work for less and doctor's are not exceptional.

Hesh Thursday, 29 June 2023 06:21 PM

So don't opposed private education. That is the main concern here. Depriving the country of medical proffesionals and then leaving.

Mahila Friday, 30 June 2023 05:55 AM

True enough!! Granted!!!??? But these so called emancipated that they deprived so many others, probably equally competent, due STANDARDISATION, AND THEN the realisation that they are able to earn mor after the 'FREE LUNCH' to get MBBS education from MC when they would've paid USD 50,000 per year for 5 years or perhaps 6 years!!!??? NO BRAINER!! Clotted brains in thick skulls, so they realise that the food wasn’t good after the Pangs of Hunger has disappeared after the Lunch in the Corner Boutique!!!??? FREE-LOADERS IN ABUNDANCE!!!???

Tissa Fernando Thursday, 29 June 2023 03:36 PM

The Doctors already in practice are not interested in expediting to absorb new doctors (this is done systematically through the Unions and doctors in government authorities ) . This is mainly due to increased compensation will result in sharing of private practice income. That is the main reason even for not letting new medical schools to be opened. What a country with corrupt people all over.

Chris Thursday, 29 June 2023 03:54 PM

JVP should now realise the benefits of having more doctors produced even through properly compliant and governed private universities and post graduate institutes. They protested for everything and nothing and as a result they too are a part of our current problems.

You owe it to the nation Thursday, 29 June 2023 05:47 PM

When a person goes abroad for higher studies or training, he/she signs a bond to serve the institute after he/she returns back. They have to pay if they fail in this. If this rule is not implemented, who is at fault? This is public money, so have some conscious before you decide to shirk your responsibility. You owe to the nation.

Ranga Thursday, 29 June 2023 06:10 PM

Studied using tax payers money and now this

Mike Revere Thursday, 29 June 2023 06:31 PM

Something wrong. Parents of KDU medical students paid massive fees for education. They too are leaving the health service. Bring back Rajitha as health minister as he was experienced as dentist.

Will JVP ever get it? Thursday, 29 June 2023 06:57 PM

If professionals leave only solution is to produce more. For that you need more private universities. Get it?

Zaza Friday, 30 June 2023 12:44 AM

A B 52 has struck the mental asylum. That is the situation of the current medical education and employment system. A doctor signed a bond for Five Million with the Government and left for Saudi Arabia. Within 2 years he repaid the full amount and left the government service for good. Now he is in Saudi Arabia paving his way to the United Kingdom. There are hundreds like this who have left the country for better pay and a better future for themselves and their children. With a brain-dead government, nothing will happen- Lanka is fast becoming a Bluffistan.

KP Friday, 30 June 2023 04:07 AM

Initially when warned that doctors might leave if proper value is not given for their service many ridiculed saying it’s not easy for doctors to migrate. Now when it’s happening they want to guilt trip doctors with free education. Do you wish for doctors to work as slaves for a pittance just because of free education. Keep wishing. Next genius idea is to have more doctors trained as if any Tom Dick and Harry can become a doctor. It’s all about supply and demand. Whether you like it or not, there is a global demand for doctors and you can’t increase supply with a magic wand. Give value where it’s due or loose it.

KP Friday, 30 June 2023 04:22 AM

Some seem to think the panacea for doctor shortage are private universities. Yes that’ll solve a small part of the problem but not enough. First, the number of people who can be trained as quality doctors are limited. Also, even doctors who studied abroad and returned to SL are leaving. Why would doctors who study paying a lot of money want to work for a pittance with no return for investment when even the ones who graduated for free are leaving. Even in countries with private universities there are doctor shortages. Anyway it’s only a long term solution for an immediate problem. When there is a hole in the bucket no point in opening more taps. The hole is undervaluing doctors.

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300 medical graduates who completed internship say no to appointments

Comments - 27

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