While it does not currently have any authority to initiate action against those who engage in the medical practice without qualifications or in medical systems for which they possess no relevant qualifications, the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) stated that it is making an effort to amend the related legal provisions.
It was recently reported that more than 40,000 individuals are engaging in the medical practice without any qualifications or engaging in work in medical systems for which they possess no qualifications.
When contacted by The Daily Morning, SLMC Registrar, Dr. Hemantha Herath said that no existing legal provision enables the SLMC to initiate action against such individuals. “There are some legal issues with regard to this issue. There is no provision in any of the legislation that enables us (SLMC) to take action. In the current context, it is the Police that can take action against such individuals under the Penal Code,” he said.
He also said that the SLMC is currently making an effort to amend the relevant legal provisions so as to ensure that they are empowered with the necessary powers. “I don’t know to what extent this would be successful, but we are trying to amend the relevant legal provisions and deal with this issue.” In response to a query as to whether the SLMC could not do anything with regard to such individuals, Dr. Herath said that the SLMC could only act on those who are registered under it.
The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) recently urged the Ministry of Health to act on various individuals who disguise themselves as medical officers, including those who engage in the medical practice without any qualifications, engage in medical practices beyond their qualifications, and impersonate qualified medical officers. The GMOA revealed that more than 40,000 such individuals operate in the country, and stressed that they pose a serious threat to the country's health sector.
A qualified medical officer in Sri Lanka requires to possess a valid registration with the SLMC, the Sri Lanka Ayurvedic Medical Council, or the Sri Lanka Homeopathic Medical Council.