AG’s advice sought to find reasonable solution on migration of medical specialists

• Says it is like a ‘hijack’

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera  

Measures were being taken to find a reasonable solution to migration of medical specialists to serve in other countries, Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella said yesterday.  
He told Parliament that advice of the Attorney General has been sought to find a reasonable solution to stop this brain drain which had been a huge issue in the health sector in the country.  

Responding to an oral question by SJB MP Imthiaz Bakeer Markar, the Minister said most of the countries including Australia and the United Kingdom had widely opened opportunities in the health sector of their countries for foreign medical specialists.  

He said there is a huge demand for medical specialists produced by Sri Lanka as the medical degree in Sri Lanka is highly recognized in the world.  

“Hiring our medical specialists is an advantage for those countries. We bear the entire cost of producing a medical specialist. The other countries hire them without any cost. It is like a ‘hijack’,” he said and added that discussions are being held with the AG to find a reasonable solution in this regard.