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Health Ministry demands unprecedented payment from medical specialists
Concerns are rising among medical specialists following an incident in which the Ministry of Health instructed a neurologist to repay the salary earned during his postgraduate training period in Sri Lanka.
In addition to the salary earned during the postgraduate training, the specialist has also been informed to pay the fees for the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) examination and course, both of which were paid out of the specialist's personal funds and are not covered by the relevant bond.
In a letter dated 22 September 2023, Dr. Priyantha Athapattu, the Director of Tertiary Care Services at the Ministry of Health, informed the specialist of the bond repayment requirement.
The specialist received a detailed breakdown of all payments made during his overseas training period from 25 August 2021 to 24 August 2023, as well as information on loans and other expenses incurred during his postgraduate training.
The Daily Mirror obtained a copy of the letter, which specified that the medical officer must repay a total of Rs. 9,128,747.05. This includes Rs. 2,680,108 as salary received during overseas training, Rs. 20,871.75 in other allowances, Rs. 51,000 for the PGIM Exam Fee, Rs.148,000 for the PGIM Course Fee, and Rs. 6,228,767.30 as local salary.
Sources close to the matter expressed astonishment at the ministry's demand, as it is unprecedented for medical specialists to have to repay the salary earned during their postgraduate training.
The bond agreement does not stipulate that the salary earned during the postgraduate training period should be reimbursed.
Hence, the medical community awaits further clarification from the Ministry of Health regarding this controversial demand, and hopes for a resolution that is fair to all parties involved.
Meanwhile, when inquired, a senior official of the Health Ministry told Daily Mirror that it's not the salary but a penalty equal to the expenditure for the PGIM training.
"As per the 13 C of the E Code, the Health Ministry introduced a penalty equal to the expenditure for the PGIM training," the official stated.
"According to the official, the expenditure include salaries, remuneration, exam fees, course fees, monthly allowances, accommodation and air tickets," the official added.
However, the recovering of the said penalty has not been implemented earlier but was introduced recently. (Sheain Fernandopulle)
Comments - 48
Comments - Health Ministry demands unprecedented payment from medical specialists
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Mohan Mendis Tuesday, 26 September 2023 07:05 AM
Very good recover free education received from country including medical college by these traitors who selfishly breaking Govt bonds to serve public in the free healthcare system we still enjoy despite obstacles
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wickrama wijayasiri Tuesday, 26 September 2023 07:22 AM
If you are expecting the public to sympathize with you, you are mistaken. Educating a doctor is expensive. The graduates should understand that. It is not a birth right. The public pays for your privilege education expecting that you would serve them in return. The indicated cost is actually a bargain for the recipient. Pay-up if you want to leave!
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Channa Thursday, 28 September 2023 04:34 PM
Doctors don’t expect your sympathy , they are capable enough to handle their issues . Only idiots like you will face the problems if you don’t have a doctor to see when your sick
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ruwan Tuesday, 26 September 2023 07:57 AM
all fair other than local salary. that's something he earned by active service in the country. basic human rights
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Siva Tuesday, 26 September 2023 08:45 AM
This will promote migration with otherways .PGIM will slowly lose its fame. Failed goverment trying thrive by satisfying public with new penalty.
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Tulseth Tuesday, 26 September 2023 08:57 AM
No issue if they do not intend breaching their service commitment. It will only be an issue for those seeking to take advantage of the free edcudation, training and post graduate development, and turn their back on serving the country which they committed to do when seeking and accessing these tax payer funded previledges.
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doctor Tuesday, 26 September 2023 09:02 AM
The amount mentioned is reasonable. If a person signed an agreement / Bond, then he/she is obliged to pay when it's broken. If a doctor decided not to return, there average quarterly salary in a foreign country will easily cover the payment. Though such agreement existed, until now GMOA / SLMC were twisting arms of govt.
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Christo255 Tuesday, 26 September 2023 09:09 AM
Good move against these specialist mercenaries
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Tax expert Tuesday, 26 September 2023 09:15 AM
It’s the right way to go. Public funds should be repaid. The specialist would have earned very much more while undergoing training in the foreign country. Some of the expenses incurred would have been tax deductible from the salary earned abroad. The amount of penalty payment will be laughable compared to his or hers earnings abroad in foreign currency.
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This will only make specialists want to leave the country more Tuesday, 26 September 2023 09:28 AM
Healthy Ministry is low quality, vaccine waster already. Now they make staff who recently pass out as specialists hate them. Medical professionals will now even more look forward to leaving. And if this specialist is asked for money back, what about the ones before him in the last 40 years?
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ravin Tuesday, 26 September 2023 09:34 AM
We need few clarifications please. Is the neurologist still in government service? Training is for providing better health serves to the government medical facilities? If this trend continues will it stops the brain drain of medical specialists? What will be the future of free medical service of the country?
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Mahila Tuesday, 26 September 2023 07:45 PM
1. Training is for providing better health serves to the government medical facilities? BS!! 2. If this trend continues will it stops the brain drain of medical specialists? YES!! 3. What will be the future of FREE MEDICAL SERVICE? ‘CONTINUES UNHINDERED’!! What has DOCTORS SPECIALISED TRAINING got to do with ‘Free medical services’? Except these ‘stupids’ CHARGING more – ‘Private Practice’, DEPRIVING time from “FREEMEDICAL SERVICE TO POOR”! The DOCTORS gain by PGIM qualifications personally, None Else!!?? ADD, Post Qualification, increased wages!!! Their services aren't available for patient care, when following PGIM, and Government needs Replacement Staff, pay them or Acting Staffer during their ABSENCE!!!??? Administration fooled by INVALID "SOB" stories!!?? Good move implement steadfastly!!!???
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Jayantha Tuesday, 26 September 2023 09:39 AM
This will speed up the process of doctors leaving the country. A foolish decision by the ministry officials when country find it hard to retain specialists. Probably the guys at ministry are feeling jelous towards these doctors because those at ministry have lesser qualifications and no demand internationally.
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Nimal Tuesday, 26 September 2023 09:48 AM
Laws or regulations cannot be enforced with retrospective effect and at the whims and fantasies of the ministry.
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Alam Tuesday, 26 September 2023 10:30 AM
Good, nothing is free
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Kamal Tuesday, 26 September 2023 10:53 AM
The PGM training means mostly self-study under guidance and supervision. Most tertiary hospitals will be paralysed if junior doctors do not opt for training as they extend services beyond the overtime paid. Medical administrators should liaise with colleagues and take suggestions. What's happening is destabilising the public sector and promoting the private sector to reduce the money spent on health. If carefully planned, they can encourage public-private partnerships properly and
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Specialst broke Bond, make the qualified wll off one pay in full Tuesday, 26 September 2023 11:19 AM
The whole situation is about bond payment. Specialist decided to leave after doing training, so the bond has to be paid out.
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Post graduate trainee Tuesday, 26 September 2023 11:23 AM
Our hateful, jealous community seems to have got geared up after hearing this news. Only those who are involved in Specialist training know how hard and tough the road to become a medical specialist is. Those lazy guys who only scream and criticise everything all the time are jealous when they happen to see that somebody has reached the top level in professional field who can cherish thanks to his productive, courageous efforts in the past. I think it is high time that all the consultants leave this land full of ungrateful, envious lazy time wasters.
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Gayantha Hemachandra Tuesday, 26 September 2023 11:34 AM
If the Health Ministry Top Officials continue to follow such drastic steps against locally and internationally trained medical specialists, they will hurry up for leaving the country and find more attractive jobs overseas. Then Health Ministry Officials will have to recruit the Veterinary Surgeons from the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Ministry, give them a short training and send them to hospitals to treat Human Patients…..I see no big difference between animals and humans in Sri Lanka apart from their anatomies .
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Andrew Ratnaweera Tuesday, 26 September 2023 12:08 PM
I am not a supporter of laws preventing any professional, including doctors, from leaving the country because it's a violation of their human rights. However, government's request for the bond and other expenses to be paid back seems to be a fair request. Although it looks like Rs. 9 million is a large amount in Sri Lankan terms, for a doctor who will be earning much more than that in a first world country, this amount can be paid mostly without an issue over a few months or years. In Australian terms, Rs. 9 million equates to AUD 43,000. This is not an unreasonable amount to pay back. Still it's a good position to be than remain in a country run by absolutely corrupt politicians.
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Mahila Tuesday, 26 September 2023 08:01 PM
The corrupt are taking advantage from their "free education" to become doctors and join medical service, complaining about Corrupt Politicians!? One is Educated Professional, Other Uneducated!? Look in the Mirror to realise - WHO IS CORRUPT!? BOTH ARE!!!??? Differs only by few DEGREES!!?? Both DEFRAUDING the Government!!! Both CULPABLE CRIMINAL OFFENCES!!!???
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P A S P Perera Tuesday, 26 September 2023 12:44 PM
These medical specialists are doing a scam. We know that all other MSc
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Sam Silva Tuesday, 26 September 2023 07:55 PM
What about the scams that being done by the politicians and robbing the country including the bond scam. Why no one going after them. As we speak What about the foreign trips by the politicians. Not to mention our leader.
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Sirimawathi Tuesday, 26 September 2023 01:54 PM
Medical colleges should award the degrees after the completion of a period, say 25 years, to recover the money we spent on their education by paying taxes even for the sugar we consume. There will be thousands of poor students would agree for this and start medical education.
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Terrence K Tuesday, 26 September 2023 02:07 PM
When the Truth is spoken by the Ministry of Health there are many including learned professionals trying to circumvent the truth by adducing different reasons and there are supporters endorsing it. What has happened to Sri Lanka ? we see the public always going the wrong way when there are laid down policies and agreements that need to be honoured by both parties to ensure that it is not a ONE WAY STREET. Sri Lankans are mollycoddled to receive everything from free monthly allowances education, travel at concessions, bursaries etc. When a person goes overseas, then only will he realize that nothing is given free but professionals are compensated according to their knowledge and experience. Saying that the govt. should not adopt policies which has a detrimental effect on their livelihoods which has resulted with the recent brain drain from different professions which needs rectification.
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Hameem Tuesday, 26 September 2023 02:12 PM
It is not only doctors. All those who got free education from grade 1 to university and beyond must serve the public.
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Abd Tuesday, 26 September 2023 02:22 PM
Good start, rajapakshas and other political traitors who misused nationalistic feelings of people to stole so much in till it bankrupt, why not taking actions to bring them back
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roobarbie Tuesday, 26 September 2023 02:32 PM
Fair that abusers of public funds should pay them back. In the same token, get all those 225 plus one rogues in the parliament and hundreds of other rogues in provincial and district councils also to pay back the billions of rupees from the treasury and other public assets that they have been abusing.
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Imtias Tuesday, 26 September 2023 03:36 PM
While pointing the fingers at politicians the higher ups in the public services equally rob the country stealthily. Please make them payback or confiscate their properties.
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saman Tuesday, 26 September 2023 05:41 PM
Who is the fool in the health ministry who paid Rs. 2,680,108 as salary during overseas training and paid Rs. 6,228,767.30 as local salary. You should only make one payment. And now no point going behind them.
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Mahila Wednesday, 27 September 2023 07:04 PM
Saman, I cannot agree with you more!!!??? In 1972,when on Specialised Training Overseas, was paid only ‘Salary Equivalent in Overseas Currency’ and NOT both as per Prevalent Administrative Regulations!!!??? Who or How did that SLAS “Minute” CHANGE!!?? Whose Authority?? CONNIVANCE OR OVERSIGHT! The problem seems to be, 'Foolish' Local University Graduates – TURNOUT, in due course as Part of (COVETED) SL Administrative Service (SLAS), being instructed by equally Foolish "Political Masters", w/o 'CRITICAL THINKING' and even A/L qualifications, making Perfect Recipe for disaster!!!??? Country "Gone TO the DOGS, BY the Dogs FOR the Dogs", making it UNLIVEABLE!!?? Apey Anduwa 1956 problem!!!??? Policy making Politicians becoming ‘OVER-LORDING’ administrators, w/o ACCOUNTABILITY/ RESPONSIBILITY!! LAUGHABLE!!
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sharwil nihar Tuesday, 26 September 2023 05:52 PM
That's peanuts for the sri lankan doctors :)
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wickrama wijayasiri Tuesday, 26 September 2023 06:22 PM
One 'Graduate Trainee' is complaining about jealousy. If he is such a trainee, he should go look himself in the mirror, to see the jealous individual. It is them who had been going on protesting to shut down the private medical colleges, for the past 40 to 50 years starting from Ragama. They also make it difficult for foreign medical graduates to work in SL, trying to keep the 'trough' for themselves to wallow in. All professional graduates receiving free U education in SL should be made to pay the cost of their free education should they elect to migrate without serving the 'Tax-Payer', within reason. Some of these ungrateful people use the scholarships awarded to SL, never to return.
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A consultant physician Wednesday, 27 September 2023 12:32 AM
The work ethic, discipline and resilience shown during specialist training deserve a far better salary than what is paid currently here. It is a shame to work for people like this in SL. If you see all the developed countries the highest paid profession is medical specialists. It is not a lottery, they earn that profession after making a lot of sacrifice. They deserve a far better take home salary than this for sure
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A consultant physician Wednesday, 27 September 2023 12:32 AM
The work ethic, discipline and resilience shown during specialist training deserve a far better salary than what is paid currently here. It is a shame to work for people like this in SL. If you see all the developed countries the highest paid profession is medical specialists. It is not a lottery, they earn that profession after making a lot of sacrifice. They deserve a far better take home salary than this for sure
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Kasthuri Tuesday, 26 September 2023 06:32 PM
This is very unfair compared to developed countries. This should include other expenses spent on their higher education. While so-called developed countries like the UK reimburse professionals' costs, why can't the poor Sri lanka implement it?
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Haiyo Tuesday, 26 September 2023 08:49 PM
Pls apply this to all graduates, not just doctors. For decades, Sri Lanka has been educating and providing professionals to support UK, US, Australia, Canada and many other countries in the developed world.
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Kasun Perera Wednesday, 27 September 2023 03:19 AM
I think Dr Priyantha Athapaththu is nice to doing a political agenda to chase all the specialist further away and discourage juniors doing post graduates, hence in soon the job market for Indian doctors will open. In peripheral units and main units mostly the hard work is pulled by the post graduate trainees. Although PGIM training is not properly supervised, the training curriculum allows doctors to work hard hence they are much qualified than doctors in the UK and Australia. When this kind of “thrill” to society, they also try to beat the doctors who work countless days and nights. Be careful, stupid citizens of SL, you guys too served to suffer like UK citizens who are waiting for emergency treatment for 15 hours in hospital emergency units and waiting for 3-4 months without operating for diagnosed cancers as the doctors in the UK only the limit they can do in their shift (e.g. 2 cases per day)
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Tom jones Wednesday, 27 September 2023 08:33 AM
I channeled an eye surgeon at Piliyandala about 6 months backpaying Rs 3500/= my appointment number was 16. Dr was to come at 1.30pm but he turned up around 2..30. He had around 70 patients On this day and he was to leave around 4.30 pm to see his other patients ar Sir John Kotalawala hospital, Werahera. This doctor must be easily making about 25 million a month. Where the hell is all the money going. These doctors will all end up in Hell.
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Tom or Tommy Wednesday, 27 September 2023 12:49 PM
Maybe jealous of rich people. Tommy also barks at vehicles passing by because he doesn't like when rich people go by vehicles. Maybe Tom is also like that
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KP Wednesday, 27 September 2023 01:28 PM
Post graduate trainees and interns are the hardest working category in health service. It’s almost slave labor with no days off. If at all they should be compensated more. If the ministry asks for the salary back, the doctors should present the ministry with a bill for all the surgeries performed and patients treated during that period in line with market prices.
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Mahila Thursday, 28 September 2023 04:04 AM
INTERNS, agreed, but not as much the PG Trainees!!! What shouldn't be forgotten is 18 years (Minimum Pre - KG to A/L) and then 5 1 years (Minimum) at MC for MBBS qualification - "FREE on the HOUSE" education Total 24 Years Minimum by SL People!?? Say the least, DOWNRIGHT ungratefulness of the benefits bestowed on OPPORTUNISTS!!!??? If that is the DEFINITION of PATRIOTISM or NATIONALIST VIRTUE, then WHAT’S NOT!!!???
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Mahila Wednesday, 27 September 2023 02:46 PM
Was He attached to the LRH!!???
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99% vs 1% rule Wednesday, 27 September 2023 06:41 PM
99% in the society are lazy, procrastinating, useless creatures. The majority feels jealous when a doctor in the 1% category reaches to the top with his striving efforts of their inferiority complex. they talk about free education, free education, free education all the time. Time wasters will remain poor forever, but they can continue shouting at the successful minority. Who cares
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Sanjaya Weerasekara Thursday, 28 September 2023 12:25 AM
What amuses me the most is that people in a bankrupt country who entertain free health service 24/7/365 are talking about misuse of free education by doctors and only doctors. I am a doctor by profession and I have worked restlessly to achieve this position. If someone has spent their precious tax money on me, so have my parents and I. People who do not have the slightest clue that Dr. Atapattu is just a pawn in a bigger political game are letting their biased opinion out just to show their prejudiced thinking. I regret having spent my youth sacrificed to serve such a herd of countrymen as a medical professional. I do not understand the logic behind people saying trainees do not deserve a salary, allowances or any other financial payment. This is not medieval times for heaven's sake. Trainees have to do 24 hour service and provide for the family too. So, does that mean only the rich must do post grad education? Really. That's the new plan.
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Husband of PG trainee Thursday, 28 September 2023 07:18 AM
Lets do some calculations shall we, How much govt. pay: MBBS - SAITM fee Rs. 8 Mn. Considering university lecturers under paid, resources outdated, universities overcrowded, government spent half or less than that.. But lets call it Rs. 9 Mn. MD - Only the exam Rs. 150k , teaching done consultants for free. Fee paid by PG trainees themselves, Gvt. pay it back years later. Effectively cost Rs. 125,000 or less. But lets call it Rs. 0.5 Mn. Altogether Rs. 9.5 Mn. How much specialists payback, Salary - Salary paid by gvt. Rs. 1.5 Mn/ yr x 5 yrs. In UK market rate Rs. 20 Mn/ yr. So for 5 years paid back 92.5 Mn (18.5 x 5). - But lests call market rate Rs. 3 Mn/ yr then paid back 7.5 Mn Vehicle tax - For 5 yrs no vehicle no permit. - paid back Rs. 2 Mn So specialists have paid back what they owe (actually paid back more than 10 fold) - How many Mns you think you owe the gvt. for the free medical care you get from gvt? check some market rates and pay it back pls.
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Sambo Thursday, 28 September 2023 07:34 AM
We also demand all politicians who stole the wealth of this country to return it back.
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ANNECUNT Friday, 29 September 2023 03:13 PM
First bring back our stolen money,and expose who looted how much and where the money is now, you can employ scotland yard for this. their charges are very reasonable MR Sathasivam emplyed scotland yard before
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