A’pura Teaching Hospital’s Paediatric ward shuts down

The professorial unit of the paediatric ward of the Anuradhapura Teaching Hospital has been shut down, following the migration of four pediatricians who previously served at the unit, Secretary of the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) Dr. Haritha Aluthge said. 

He said the GMOA had continuously warned of this situation which may potentially cripple the health services in the country, he said.

"At least 600 to 700 doctors including specialists have migrated over the last year. The Health Ministry receives at least 40 migration applications from doctors every month,” Dr. Aluthge revealed.

"Mullaitivu Hospital’s paediatric ward is currently incapacitated as only one specialist doctor mans the unit. Meanwhile, the surgical unit of the hospital has been shut down with no surgeons," he added.