The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) stated that there is currently a shortage of medical specialists in hospitals located in many areas, and that if urgent solutions are not provided, there may even be a risk of such hospitals having to be shut down.
Speaking to The Daily Morning, a representative of the AMS said that due to the Government's new retirement policy through which the public servants are supposed to retire at the age of 60 years, and specialists leaving the country in large numbers over the past few years, there is a shortage of specialists at hospitals in many parts of the country.
According to him, the hospitals located in areas such as Akkaraipattu, Kattankudy, Kalmunai, Kinnya, Eravur, Muttur, Trincomalee, Kanthale, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Dehiattakandiya, Maha Oya, Bibile, Badulla, Dickoya, Diyathalawa, Padaviya, Embilipitiya, Chilaw, Kegalle, Matale, Nawalapitiya, Nikaweratiya, and Tissamaharama are seeing significant shortages of specialists.
Speaking further, the AMS representative said that the shortage of specialists will inevitably be exacerbated in the future due to the fact that the number of specialists joining the hospitals in the country is significantly lower compared to the number of specialists who are going to retire with the new retirement policy, and leaving the country. He said that the shortage, which can only be seen in remote hospitals at present, will be seen in leading hospitals in the near future.
“Not only specialists, many parties have warned the Government that this situation would arise from the moment that the new retirement policy was introduced. In the beginning, it was said that the retirement age of specialists will be kept at 63 years, but later it was reduced to 60 years. Legal proceedings are underway in that regard. However, the Government and the Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella deliberately allowed this situation to arise. They still have no desire to remedy this situation.”
Meanwhile, commenting on the recent statement made by Rambukwella that specialists can work on a contract basis for two years after retirement if necessary, he said that there are no specialists willing to work on a contract basis. “In any case, a few doctors who are friendly with him could be hired on a contract basis, but that will by no means be a solution to the shortage of specialists that is currently being created,” he added.
Rambukwella was not available for comment.
One of the main sectors where the new retirement policy through which the retirement age of public servants was reduced to 60 years, has had an inevitable negative impact is the country’s health service. Considering that there is already a shortage of medical specialists in many hospitals, and a large number of specialists leaving the country due to the current economic crisis, the relevant parties warned on several occasions that a shortage of specialists will arise in the country.
Meanwhile, speaking in the Parliament last week, Rambukwella said that there was a possibility to facilitate the specialists to serve for two years under a contract basis following their retirement, after having the necessary discussions with the Ministry of Public Administration. “The relevant associations of medical specialists should be asked as to why they do not make use of this option. There are reasons for their refusal. I am not ready to reveal them here. I will make a statement if a need arises,” he added.