The 2025 annual doctor transfer list has been delayed by at least two months, with the application process yet to begin due to extensive procedures. 

Typically published by 1 November and effective from 1 January, the delay has affected over 5,000 doctors and rural hospitals, according to the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA).

The GMOA attributes the delay to alleged attempts by some Health Ministry officials to bypass regulations.

“The basis behind this process is that doctors are given two months to prepare for their transfer to another location,” GMOA Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe told The Sunday Morning. 

However, the application process for the 2025 annual transfer list is yet to commence, leading to further delays due to the extensive process.

As explained by Dr. Wijesinghe, the online application process for the annual transfer list is ideally conducted over a span of two weeks, followed by around two days for the printed documents to be received from the relevant hospitals and checked and verified by the ministry. 

After the list is compiled, the tentative list is then published, followed by an appeal process.

However, a ‘surprising’ decision to bar transfers within two units has been made by the Government following the announcement of the annual transfer list for 2025.

When contacted by The Sunday Morning, Ministry of Health Director General of Health Services Dr. Asela Gunawardena stated there was an ongoing court case regarding this situation, as the GMOA disagreed with the Minister’s decision.

Meanwhile, the requested meeting with Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa regarding alleged political influence into medical sector processes was held on 15 January.

The Ministry of Health is also facing legal challenges over decisions regarding internal transfers within certain hospitals and the GMOA has requested the intervention of the Health Minister to address these issues.