The National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) in Colombo currently has more Accident and Emergency (A&E) Physicians than required, while the Provincial General Teaching Hospital (TH) in Ratnapura, which has a well-established A&E Unit, lacks adequate physician support, it is learnt.

According to a member of the Health Ministry’s Specialist Transfer Board, who spoke to The Daily Morning, the NHSL's approved A&E physician cadre is two, yet, six are currently serving there — two permanent Consultants, three Acting Consultants, and one Senior Registrar (SR). According to the said source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, of the three Acting Consultants, two are scheduled to transfer to the Colombo North TH in Ragama and one to the TH in Batticaloa, as they have been at the NHSL for over a year; however, they remain at the NHSL due to there being no vacancies at their designated Hospitals. "The SR at the NHSL, who has not requested an annual transfer, can be reassigned to any hospital with an A&E Unit as per the guidelines issued by the Public Service Commission. Since the Ratnapura TH lacks an A&E Physician, the Transfer Board has recommended moving her to the Panadura Base Hospital, allowing the current Panadura physician to transfer to the Kalutara TH, and the physician at the Kalutara TH to the Ratnapura TH. However, despite several requests, the SR has not been released to Panadura and remains at the NHSL, disregarding the Transfer Board’s instructions," the member claimed.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, the NHSL Director, Dr. Kumara Wickramasinghe said: "The approved cadre is two, and there are only two Consultants. All other appointments are done by the Ministry. You'll have to inquire about it from the Ministry."

Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena was unavailable for comment.