No decision to cancel leave for doctors: Health Ministry

By Sheain Fernandopulle

Responding to media reports that the leave of medical consultants who will be travelling overseas is to be cancelled, Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sri Chandragupta said the Health Ministry has not reached such a decision as yet.

Speaking to Daily Mirror, Chandragupta said, “The Ministry alone cannot make such a decision to disprove the leave of medical officers and specialists, adding that it has to be finalized by a Scrutiny Committee comprising the respective officials,”

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

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