No decision to cancel leave for doctors: Health Ministry

Responding to media reports that the leave of medical consultants who are overseas have been cancelled, Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta said the Health Ministry has not taken such a decision as yet.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Chandragupta said, “The Ministry alone cannot take such a decision to cancel the leave of medical officers and specialists. It has to be finalized by a Scrutiny Committee comprising relevant officials.”  

“Hence, such a decision will only be taken if it is endorsed by the committee,” he added.   

These speculations are on the spotlight in the wake of a mass exodus of medical specialists in recent past, resulting in the dearth of consultants in the health system in Sri Lanka.