• Govt. instructs Health Secy, DGHS on timely due process 

The Government has instructed the Secretary to the Ministry of Health and the Director General of Health Services (DGHS) to ensure that the transfer process for doctors of all categories is carried out on time, following the due process.

Speaking to The Daily Morning, Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni stated that three transfer boards are responsible for handling the transfers of Grade Medical Officers (MOs), Specialist MOs, and Administrative MOs. However, he noted that the transfer process for these categories of MOs, which should take place every four years, is not being properly implemented due to various factors, including trade union (TU) influence. 

“There are many issues regarding the transfers of MOs. For instance, it has been revealed that the former Director of the Teaching Hospital in Anuradhapura has been serving there for 14 years with the support of certain politicians and TUs. In light of this, we have instructed the Health Ministry Secretary, Dr. Anil Jasinghe, and the DGHS, Dr. Asela Gunawardana, to closely monitor the transfers and ensure that they are carried out on time, under the due process.”

In the recent past, there have been numerous reports of issues concerning the transfer of MOs. Some MOs have remained in the same station for years, far exceeding the designated service period, often due to political or TU influence. There have also been reports of certain MOs refusing to accept their transfers, leading to disruptions in the proper allocation of medical staff.