The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has strongly criticized Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa for urging the World Health Organization (WHO) to limit opportunities for Sri Lankan doctors to secure overseas appointments.
In a statement released yesterday (26), the GMOA called on the Health Minister to instead focus on implementing effective measures to retain doctors within the country rather than seeking to block their international prospects.
The association also noted that similar sentiments had been expressed previously by former Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella during his tenure, highlighting a recurring approach that it says fails to address the root causes of doctor migration.
The GMOA stressed that the government should prioritize resolving the grievances of medical professionals and simultaneously work to increase the number of specialist doctors. This, they argued, would not only strengthen public healthcare services but also enable the country to facilitate overseas placements that could enhance foreign exchange earnings.
“We have witnessed over 2,000 doctors leaving the country in the past two years. Unless effective remedial measures are introduced promptly, the collapse of public sector health services is inevitable,” the GMOA said.
The association revealed that several rounds of discussions had been held with Minister Jayatissa, but warned that concrete actions with clear timelines are essential to address their concerns.
Furthermore, the GMOA issued a stern warning that trade union action could be initiated if the government fails to restore doctors’ allowances, which were cut in the first budget presented by the current National People’s Power (NPP) administration.
The association also criticized the Health Ministry for its failure to rectify errors despite repeated representations made by the GMOA.
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