While the Ministry of Health is to initiate legal action against medical professionals who migrate without the proper permission, medical specialists have raised concerns regarding the treatment of those who transition from Government hospitals to private hospitals for permanent service in a similar manner.
The ministry recently claimed that nearly 120 medical officers who returned to Sri Lanka after completing their specialist training have illegally migrated in violation of their service contracts in the last year and a half. The ministry’s Tertiary Care Services Director Dr. Priyantha Athapattu had stated that necessary action would be taken regarding the concerned medical officers.
Dr. Chamil Uduwela, the only anaesthetist serving at the Hambantota District General Hospital, had left for the UK last week without any notice. Subsequently, other specialists at the hospital had to postpone all scheduled surgeries, sparking a controversy. Sources connected to the hospital told The Daily Morning that there is currently a need for two anaesthesiologists on staff. However, recent developments have led to the transfer of one anaesthetist to the Dental Institute of Colombo while another has joined a well-known private hospital. Dr. Uduwela, who was assigned to the hospital soon after being registered as a specialist, has since migrated abroad. It is speculated that he may have made this decision due to concerns about working alone in a hospital that requires the services of two anaesthetists.
Speaking on the matter, a senior specialist doctor told The Daily Morning that there are reports of medical officers working in Government hospitals joining private hospitals. Under these conditions, she said the ministry should determine whether the proper permissions are being obtained by the medical officers prior to joining private hospitals and take relevant actions if they have not. “Most importantly, problems that cause medical professionals to go abroad and leave Government hospitals should be investigated and resolved. However, we do not see the ministry doing something towards that purpose.”
When contacted by The Daily Morning to inquire about the matter, the ministry's Secretary Janaka Sri Chandraguptha said that the ministry would initiate action against any medical professional who migrates or leaves Government hospitals without proper permission. “We have no issue if they obtain approval from the relevant authorities and migrate or join private hospitals. Our concern is about those who do so without prior notice.”
Attempts to contact the Director of the Hambantota General Hospital proved futile.
To become a specialist, a medical officer is entitled to study leave with pay, and upon receiving specialist training abroad, are required to serve in Sri Lanka for a minimum of eight years. The Government spends between Rs. 12 and 15 million to train a specialist. It is against this backdrop that it has been revealed that 120 out of 363 medical specialists who returned to Sri Lanka after completing training overseas have migrated without obtaining the proper permission.