GMOA urges govt. to make serious effort to prevent docs from leaving country

By Rathindra Kuruwita

Most Sri Lankan doctors were struggling to make ends meet and the government must demonstrate that it was keen to retain the doctors in the country, Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) media spokesman, Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said.

“Doctors also do not have medicine to treat patients. They are without official residences at peripheral hospitals. This is why we said that in order to retain doctors, the government must create an environment that they feel comfortable in. We have only demanded economic justice.”

Dr. Wijesinghe said that they were not seeking a significant salary hike immediately.

There are 23,000 doctors in the state service, and they were facing many issues due to low salaries, he said.

“Let’s look at an intern. This is the entry point into the medical service. An intern is usually about 28 years old. These doctors have to work every day for one year. They get paid 54,000 rupees a month. The starting salary of a medical specialist is 88,000 rupees. They also start out in the most difficult areas,” he said.

Dr. Wijesinghe said that out of the 23,000 doctors, only 30 percent engaged in private practice.

“Even some medical specialists don’t engage in private practice. Moreover, even among doctors that engage in private practice, the overwhelming majority make very little money,” he said.

Over 5,000 doctors have completed either the Australian Medical Council Examinations, Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board test (needed to work in the UK) and Prometric Exams (necessary to work in the Middle East), he said.

“They have not left yet. If they leave, we will be in big trouble. Six out of eight doctors at the Sri Jayewardenepura Cardiology Unit have passed the Australian Medical Council Examination. They can leave anytime, and what will happen to the cardiology unit of one of Sri Lanka’s key hospitals,” he asked.

Dr. Wijesinghe said that over 6,000 transfers have not taken place in the last three years. The GMOA had a discussion with the Health Minister recently, and several steps were taken to address the most pressing issues, he said.