Health Ministry and SLMC clash over illegal migration actions

15 August 2023 07:37 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 13 Bookmark

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-Over 100 medical specialists blacklisted

-SLMC says they have not received complaints against any specialists

-New List of blacklisted medical specialists to be forwarded to SLMC

In the backdrop of numerous medical specialists leaving the country, the Health Ministry and Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) have failed to reach consensus on actions to be taken against the doctors who have migrated illegally.

According to the Health Ministry sources, 105 medical specialists have so far been blacklisted and the Ministry is yet to inform the SLMC in this regard. However, the SLMC seemed to have adopted a sluggish move in taking actions against the migrated specialists when the SLMC was informed on earlier occasions.

The Health Ministry is entitled to submit a semi-annual report on the blacklisted specialists to the SLMC. As such, the particular list of 105 specialists is applicable for the period from January 01 to June 20, 2022.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, SLMC President Prof Vajira Dissanayake said, “We have received no complaint so far about any medical specialist over their illegal migration. Nevertheless, necessary actions can be taken if we are provided with sound information about such medical specialists.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Priyantha Atapattu told Daily Mirror that “Any government employees, including doctors, require approval from both the Prime Minister and the minister in charge if they wish to travel abroad. However, over 120 medical specialists have so far migrated without prior notice during the last two years, which is illegal.”

“Accordingly, the Health Ministry has the authority to take action against such specialists who have travelled abroad without obtaining the necessary approval.”

“Furthermore, legal actions are being pursued against specialists who are currently residing abroad without proper authorization. In addition to incurring fines, these doctors may also face cancellation of their registration with the SLMC,” he stressed.

Dr. Atapattu underscored that even doctors who have followed the appropriate legal procedures to travel abroad may face consequences, emphasizing that they too may risk losing their jobs if they fail to fulfill their obligations in Sri Lanka.

Daily Mirror reported on June 23 that a total of 375 medical specialists have migrated for either professional or personal reasons, while others have been absorbed into universities. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

Comments - 13

Epicenter of the TB Tuesday, 15 August 2023 08:12 AM

The hospital within strategic coordinates, Vancouver to Vladivostok. Tokyo to Quito.

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Nilmini Welivita Tuesday, 15 August 2023 08:47 AM

They are leaving because they don't want to kill patients with Keheliya's indian commis drugs.

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Nimal Tuesday, 15 August 2023 09:01 AM

Doctors who have migrated? They are the wise ones. Who would want to live in a miserable country such as ours, that our rulers have created, if they can find refuge abroad.

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Nihal nelson Tuesday, 15 August 2023 09:21 AM

SLMC is unable to do anything, even if they cancel the registration its not an issue as most of the doctors have foreign university qualification too, the stupid tax policy drained all good brains and left few debris in parliament.

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Pavithra Tuesday, 15 August 2023 01:24 PM

Well it is a stupid tax policy for the people who think that the government can keep giving them what they want by printing money. If one needs to be reminded, taxes have to be collected to meet government expenses including the payment of doctors salaries! We know what havoc we experienced after the shortfall in revenue created after GR cut back taxesin 2020. The fact is that many did not pay their fair share and that included many professionals of different disciplines.

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sam Tuesday, 15 August 2023 09:49 AM

Result of free education at university. Those pursuing Medicine and Engineering should be given bank loans to pay and the loan may be written off if the person so qualified serve the country for a minimum period say 10 years or so.

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Ruwan Tuesday, 15 August 2023 01:18 PM

Agree whole heartedly. They act as if the country owes them much and that they are doing the nation a favour, after the state spends to get them to where they are.

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Honest lankan Tuesday, 15 August 2023 02:55 PM

See these dirty government doctors totally prevented private medical universities from functioning but if they are established now would have been fulfilled the needs of the innocent people. Satim was closed due to these uneducated doctors strikes and we are reaping the results. Special authority must be given to airport officials to show proper leave authority when leaving the country

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Gee Tuesday, 15 August 2023 03:55 PM

Most countries have people illegally desperate to come in, Sri Lanka has people illegally desperate to leave

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mp Tuesday, 15 August 2023 03:59 PM

REPLY TO PAVITHRA - What the doctors are doing is reasonable. Who is willing to live in this miserable country? If the government don't have money to pay salaries, then they should recover from robbed money from politicians. This government is imposing taxes not only from doctors, but also from beggars. This tax policy is a very unreasonable one - they charge tax from retired people with no pension. 2 12% interest on savings a/c and then 5% tax on the interest earned.

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sam Tuesday, 15 August 2023 04:18 PM

What action? Try and catch their tail

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Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 15 August 2023 06:35 PM

Poor state of affairs. Unless the system is radically changed, the next crisis will be unbearable.

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All doctors who are fined will never come back to work here Tuesday, 15 August 2023 08:12 PM

No person who becomes well qualified should remain in dictatorship country. Doctors once get job would be stupid to stay around in a country that has such a corrupt medical sector mostly due to political interference and bribe taking. All doctors who leave with further threats will never want to come back to assist for any reason and the public suffer because the government take the hash unfair stance. No doctor will be intimidated to stay here with the government threats either.

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