Medical crisis looms as dearth of specialists worsens

By SHEAIN FERNANDOPULLE

23 June 2023 07:21 am - 46 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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-Only 2,007 specialists at present despite projected number of 4,299

-350 specialists have migrated so far

-300 more specialists to retire this year

-Delay in annual transfer list

-Specialists urged to stay as millions deprived of medical help

Sri Lanka is currently experiencing a massive shortage of medical specialists, with medical professionals warning of a serious threat to the country's health sector, the Daily Mirror exclusively learns.

With a significant number of medical specialists choosing to migrate, and some specialists being absorbed to foreign universities, experts predict more trouble for Sri Lanka’s ailing health sector. Meanwhile, the recently revised retirement age of doctors by the age 60, has also contributed to the issue.

The Ministry of Health has estimated that the country will require 4,299 medical specialists by the year 2024 to ensure continued medical services to the general population. According to the list of transfers, there are 750 vacancies to be urgently filled by this year including cardiologists, microbiologists, dermatologists, emergency physicians, anaesthetists and pathologists. Professionals in the field have long warned that the number of required medical specialists could exceed the 1,000 mark by next year, if authorities failed to act promptly.

However, Sri Lanka currently has only around 2,007 specialists, a number which many experts say is inadequate to serve the general population’s medical needs. Adding to the issue is the imminent retirement of some 300 medical specialists aged between 60 to 63 by the end of this year, including experts like Dr. Ananda Wijewickrama, Dr. Lakkumar Fernando, Dr. Gotabhaya Ranasinghe, Dr. Ananda Lamahewage and Dr. Nishshanka Jayawardena.

Meanwhile, nine out of 18 heart surgeons in the country are likely to leave the service, risking the closure of several heart surgery units in the country. These include some specialized units in Colombo, Galle, and Jaffna, risking the lives of thousands of people who are on the waiting list for heart surgeries. Furthermore, 375 medical specialists have migrated for either professional or personal reasons, while others have been absorbed into universities.

Furthermore, the Health Ministry is accused to have continuously delayed to publish the transfer list.

It is in this context that 176 specialist doctors have filed a petition in the Court of Appeal saying that it is unfair to change the retirement age privilege from 60 to 63. Health authorities are currently deliberating if a flexible work arrangement could be given in the case of some experts. However, it was reported that the affected experts were not in agreement with this solution, urging the retirement age be revised to 63.

In this context, the authorities have verbally requested about 50 specialist doctors over the age of 63 to continue working on a temporary contract basis.

Comments - 46

Sivalingam Friday, 23 June 2023 07:36 AM

Most of these specialists are in private hospitals most of the time which getting salaries and perks from tax payers funds.

Kasun Friday, 23 June 2023 12:29 PM

When people like u, the haters and envious people about doctors there s no reason to think twice before migrating... the majority of SL middle class people are very much jealous of doctors. They deserve this

Kabir Hashim Friday, 23 June 2023 07:37 AM

Private channelling centres, pharmacies and labs around govt. hospitals are mostly owned by these doctors.

Tissa Fernando Friday, 23 June 2023 07:42 AM

Medical unions are responsible for this. They have been blocking additional medical schools because of fear of competition. As a result fewer Doctors were coming out as qualified. Migration is an expected outcome and we need to allow more medical schools in the country. JVP and the Medical Unions are blocking any initiative to increase medical schools. Parents are sending their children to countries like Nepal, Belarus to study medicine by spending dollars. Even they are not allowed to practise here without going through rigorous exams again.

Mahila Saturday, 24 June 2023 06:28 AM

SELF-SERVING Patriotic NATIONALISTS, turned Economic REFUGEES!!!??? Whither VIYATH MAGA!!!??? Utter Nonsense!!!?? Mid-Wife, delivered Pohottuwa Government, with much enchantment of “Vistas of prosperity and Splendour”, eliminate Poverty and Deprivation!!!??? What happened was the Opposite??? Starvation, Food deprivation and of essential goods – Cooking Gas

ANTON Friday, 23 June 2023 08:00 AM

SRILANKA MEDICAL SERVICES ON THE VERGE OF COLLAPSE.

VJ Friday, 23 June 2023 08:17 AM

The politicians need not worry, there are no shortage of specialists in Singapore. Not only doctors, they don’t have medications either. But there are adequate specialists in private hospitals. Local pharmacies have their shelves full. Free health service and free education in the country is only half the truth.

Kamal Friday, 23 June 2023 08:25 AM

Encourage Sri Lankan Qualified specialist who are settled in abroad to work short term basis in district general hospitals, and base hospitals A, either in contract basis or volunteer basis if its one month.

joshua Friday, 23 June 2023 08:36 AM

When the politicians muck up the country, what else can you expect? Specialists will migrate or opt to work abroad. Further, the high tax regime is not doing any good for the people although it may be only way at the moment. Why should the people suffer just because the Rajapakshes and the stooges brought the whole country to their knees.

crazylanka Friday, 23 June 2023 08:52 AM

Thanks GOTA and their supporters

Sokrates Friday, 23 June 2023 09:09 AM

This shows that Sri Lanka is a failed country, unable to bind its intelligentsia. I understand every specialist who leaves this country. Why are there still no private medical universities in this country to create enough places to study medicine? At the moment, potential doctors are being forced to migrate even before they start their studies due to a lack of study places. There should also be a rule that doctors who have studied at the taxpayer's expense should be required to work in government hospitals for a number of years.

Human jealousy Friday, 23 June 2023 09:17 AM

There are thousands of retired medical personal abroad.They were registered practitioners previously in SL. To reregister with SLMC, they are being asked to become dual citizens. This is due to jealousy of the members in the SLMC. This country will never ever improve. Make it two states in one country for a start.

Shehenaz Dhananjaya Dharmaratne Friday, 23 June 2023 09:31 AM

The best and the only solution is the practice of Mindfulness. (Being the present moment with awareness)

Economist Friday, 23 June 2023 10:02 AM

While the other countries offer various perks to attract professionals, we in Sri Lanka create problems compelling them to migrate. All in the name of reforming the country they themselves ruined, while the corrupt deals and waste continue.

Adam Friday, 23 June 2023 10:07 AM

We should use AI and the latest tech in assisting medical care.

LSRM Friday, 23 June 2023 10:40 AM

Time to rethink about Free Education System in the country

Mahila Saturday, 24 June 2023 03:36 PM

At least NOW, could we UNANIMOUSLY agree: 1. Medical Degree (MBBS) be either excluded from Free Education program, Or 2. At the worst, the Graduands are made to repay the cost of their education from the time they start their INTERNSHIP!!! They are assured on employment!! Why Not?? 3. If (2) above becomes reality, make Graduands believe NEED NATIONAL commitment!? 4. May be a good idea to make this feature to all graduands REPAY when EMPLOYED!!?? 5. Study Leave for MRCP, MRCS, any other higher qualification – Bonded for 3 years 6. Whether the government would implement the BOND serve for fixed period??? Whatever is GIVEN FREE is never APPRECIATED OR VALUED!!! Trade Unions are the major drawback in this country!!?? Self-Centered politicians and Professionals are the retards, who aren’t allowing Private Uni’s!!??

Grace Friday, 23 June 2023 11:04 AM

If you don't have food, eat cake. If you don't have medicines, drink whisky. Recommendation by 226 mentally challenged.

God Katharagama Friday, 23 June 2023 11:38 AM

No problem. President knows everything. He can teach some students, fast track and get them quickly qualified as medical specialists

Adrian Friday, 23 June 2023 11:42 AM

Gota wanted everyone to leave the country, work and send back dollars LOL. Gota be soo smart!.

Sunil Friday, 23 June 2023 12:10 PM

Government medical specialists do work in private hospitals early morning and come late to National Hospital.Authorities must punish them

P. Mahendra Friday, 23 June 2023 01:01 PM

Everybody have to retire. Short sweet.

ajith Friday, 23 June 2023 01:58 PM

Doctors from SARC countries should be allowed to serve in Sri Lanka.

Fathima Lai Friday, 23 June 2023 03:06 PM

Just yesterday, an MBBS doctor who was running a street corner medical center migrated. If a specialist has to migrate, retire or do private practice, we cannot stop anyone from selling their knowledge and expertise. We need to be producing more doctors to fill the gap. There is no point in keeping exams tough to reduce numbers because in any profession people learn the skills and expertise when they practice it, then they go for further studies with better practical knowledge.

ranjit Friday, 23 June 2023 03:38 PM

@Adams"We should use AI and the latest tech in assisting medical care." where is the cash for these technologies when we don't have cash to buy even basic drugs.

Rishan Friday, 23 June 2023 03:54 PM

If there is a shortage in specialist doctors then why not import from India / Singapore ...

Jayantha Friday, 23 June 2023 03:59 PM

Not only doctors it is same for other fields too. People are trying to migrate and leave as much as possible considering the future children. Here the things are getting worse day by day and who will not move abroad when opportunity exists. With jokers like imf and rw the things will get even worse for everyone here except for rajapaksa and rw crooks.

No more free education Friday, 23 June 2023 04:21 PM

Specialist doctors are unethical mudalalis in our country cannot play the same tune in Western countries!

Kasun Saturday, 24 June 2023 12:00 AM

Free education has been wasted by gamblers, , thugs ,prodigals. Why u guys don't talk about that. Money spent on free education has also been contributed by relatives,parents of doctors also. It s that the free education has been properly consumed without wasting by doctors. Yet most buggers worry about doctors...

Citizen k Friday, 23 June 2023 04:28 PM

G.M.O.A.This is the result of your protest in refusing to accept students from private medical schools.Government please start private medical schools.It'never too late.

local@paitent Friday, 23 June 2023 08:25 PM

The 350 migrated must be revoked of their medical licenses. They get free education from this country, free higher education in oversees from this country tax payers and then leave this country to make their living. Revoke their medical licences.......

Praja Pathirana Friday, 23 June 2023 08:40 PM

Specialist migration is not the problem. Problem is maldistribution. Problem is specialists have become general practitioners treating every fever and cold. They should see only referred patients

TRTHU Friday, 23 June 2023 09:50 PM

1972 STANDARDIZATION.

Dilshan Perera Saturday, 24 June 2023 01:13 AM

Every medical specialist should migrate.. there's no reason at all to stay here and save thankless lives of people here.. trade unions should start aggressive migration schemes and private sector specialists should also be made to migrate.. unwanted or unmanned hospitals and wards across the country should be closed down and removed forever.. concentrate on the few possible.. every patient, in both government and private sector deserves this for the mistakes made in voting over decades..

K. Andersson Saturday, 24 June 2023 01:51 AM

It is time to get rid of this crazy, ruthless liars who keep on robbing the country in every corner. Sri Lanka is a precious country that deserves much more. Bring to the scene a few honest, uncorrupted that know the job. And that will be the end to all this misery!

Mura Raja Saturday, 24 June 2023 02:36 AM

To all my fellow citizens some questions to you? 1- Is only doctors are studies tax money??? 2- All blame the 225 parliamentarians- totally disagree- Shame on who elect them. 3- What are the reasons for elected those parliamentarians- racism, religious extremism, own benefits, family following etc etc- think you don’t have rights to blame them because you are the one chooses them. 4- Government servants Should not work in private sector, stop all private practice of doctors and pay them reasonable salaries- lowest salaries for doctors in the world in Sri Lanka. 5-Don’t tell us no money for a good pay. Ask your government why 40% of budget for defence?? War ended 14 years ago. 6- Come out from your own interest and unite as Sri Lankans and select all new 225 parliamentarians and build a new nation- stop and think here - every one has racism mindset - Sinhala, Tamil or Muslim, come out from this and then only nation will raise. 7- I know number 6 is a dream.

DOT Saturday, 24 June 2023 07:04 AM

A golden opportunity for newcomers to.capitalize the vacuum. No one is indespensiable!

A specialist migrating Saturday, 24 June 2023 07:36 AM

Specialists are given a pea nuts salary equivalent to a laboure in ports authority or in CEB or a IT apprentice. More over, they are taxed and expected to serve and save the dear lives. Of ciurse a few specialists benefit from private works at the expense of their valuable times which they could have enjoyed with their dear ones. There are more to the story. They migrate because all of the above are eased in other countries with good education for their children.

Shobia Saturday, 24 June 2023 08:16 AM

Young people are migrating as some greedy old doctors are occupying the post in Colombo and in major cities. So the young people are struck in periphery and with frustration leaving country. There’s young doctors are very skilled and know new tech too So if old people go young people will stay There should be no extension beyond 60 as in other prifesdion

Rizvi Saturday, 24 June 2023 08:26 AM

Looking at the present state our country is in right now, most of the doctor who are in their early stages of their careers might’ve already flown or is considering, they too have a vision for their future like most of us in other professions have. If they’ve been treated right they would have stayed, we the general public have been washed by the media to know what the government wants us to know and we point fingers with these facts without even knowing the truth of what happens behind the walls of the MOH !! Think of yourselves in the doctors shoes, will you sit back and serve while you can’t afford to give the bread and butter to your family or if you foresee this coming in the near future?

Rizvi Saturday, 24 June 2023 08:26 AM

Looking at the present state our country is in right now, most of the doctor who are in their early stages of their careers might’ve already flown or is considering, they too have a vision for their future like most of us in other professions have. If they’ve been treated right they would have stayed, we the general public have been washed by the media to know what the government wants us to know and we point fingers with these facts without even knowing the truth of what happens behind the walls of the MOH !! Think of yourselves in the doctors shoes, will you sit back and serve while you can’t afford to give the bread and butter to your family or if you foresee this coming in the near future?

Gamaya Saturday, 24 June 2023 08:47 AM

This had been coming, authorities knew but they were too blind to see this as they were living in their own worlds that are free of issues. So sad for the people.

Dr. Derrick Karunaratne Saturday, 24 June 2023 10:07 AM

Immediately Health Minister Kahliya Rambukwela should resign. He is old and cannot handle any responsibilities. No more ministerial positions should be given to him.

Dr. W.K.D. Samarakoon Saturday, 24 June 2023 10:09 AM

Health Ministry is corrupted from the Minister to the bottom, half of the poor population will die soon..

Rev. Hendry Paul Fernando Saturday, 24 June 2023 10:12 AM

People are suffering and dying without medicines in the Hospital and the market, but the Health Minister and his nasty Heath Officials are laughing and joking. Curse will fall upon them.

Mahila Saturday, 24 June 2023 04:02 PM

That shows how much Patriotic Nationalist Minded Governments since 1972 - 50 Years - have contributed towards upliftment Educational Standards in Resplendent Sri Lanka!!!??? Instead they were all hell bent on Thieving, Robbing and Looting NATIONAL WEALTH for aggrandisement!? Whilst portraying Nationalistic Fervour, enjoying life at Public expense and fooling the masses, the Messiahs have duped the Masses/Voters!!!??? Voters should know better, vote wisely!!???

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Medical crisis looms as dearth of specialists worsens

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