Trend of doctors leaving the country coming down: Health Ministry

By Sheain Fernandopulle 
The number of doctors and consultants leaving the country has moderately come down, said the newly appointed Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr. Palitha Mahipala. 

• We have seen a trend some time back that those doctors who had gone abroad for postgraduate training never returned  to the country
• some of the doctors who left the country for other purposes, are coming back

Addressing a news briefing at the Ministry on Thursday (23), Dr Mahipala said when considering the data for the last two to three weeks, there is a downward trend of doctors leaving the country. 
“We have seen a trend some time back that those doctors who had gone abroad for postgraduate training never returned to the country. Comparatively, doctors are coming back now. In fact, some of the doctors who left the country for other purposes, are coming back,” he argued. 
Furthermore, the health secretary said they are currently discussing the matter with trade unions and other stakeholders to see how best the issue can be ironed out adding that this has to be addressed holistically. “Producing a specialist takes 8–10 years with so much of money spent on them. As such, we have to ensure that they remain in the country,” Dr Mahipala added. 
Meanwhile, Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena stated that the health ministry had directed the provincial health directors to provide all the details of the recipients of the controversial Immunoglobulin drug. 
“We have not yet reported any kind of complications as yet due to the use of Immunoglobulin drug in question. However, the Medical Research Institute is conducting further investigation on the drug,” he clarified.