Kantale Hospital in jeopardy over specialist shortage

Colombo, September 19 (Daily Mirror) -  The Kantale Base Hospital's Neonatology Ward has been forced to shut down due to a critical lack of pediatricians and neonatologists, the Daily Mirror learns.

A Neonatology Ward is a hospital unit that specializes in the care of newborn babies, especially those born prematurely or with health issues.

According to sources, the Ministry of Health has reportedly reassigned pediatricians to universities leaving hospitals without key specialists. 

As a result, no new patients will be admitted until a consultant is appointed.

The same plight is being experienced by the Neonatology unit at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Specialised Children's Hospital in Peradeniya due to the lack of pediatricians, resulting in the closure of the unit.

Current patients will be looked after by doctors from other departments, and emergencies will be managed through the Accident and Emergency Unit, the sources said. 

Further, routine admissions in the ENT, Ophthalmology and Cardiology Units are set to be affected, further deepening the crisis.

In response to the crisis, a senior official from the Health Ministry said the matter is being looked into.