Govt to blacklist docs going abroad without permission

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Parliament that there was a possibility of Lankan health sector collapsing as a result of doctors leaving the country at an alarming rate. He said that around 300 doctors have left the country since January this year.

Responding to a question raised by the Leader of Opposition Sajith Premadasa in Parliament on an earlier date, Minister Rambukwella said that his Ministry had already informed the foreign mission offices in Colombo not to grant visas to doctors if they don’t have permission from the health ministry to go overseas. “Permission is given to doctors to work abroad for a period of five years,” the Minister said.

“We have also informed the emigration officers in the airport to check whether the doctors who travel overseas have leave approval. Those medical officers who fly abroad without permission will be black listed while their license issued by the Sri Lanka medical council will be cancelled. They will not be able to practice even overseas if their licences are cancelled.”

“Lists of the names of black-listed doctors will be published from time to time,” he said.