Acute shortage of doctors in health sector

GMOA requests doctors’ retirement age be extended to 63 years 

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama   

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) requested the Government to extend the retirement age of doctors to 63 years in order to overcome the shortage of doctors in the health sector,   

GMOA Secretary Dr. Shenal Fernando said there was an acute shortage of doctors in hospitals in the country as well as in rural areas.   

He said the GMOA had received information related to the shortage of doctors in rural hospitals by Provincial Governors following the ‘Gama Samaga Pilisandara’ programme held, by the President.   

Dr. Fernando pointed out that a large number of doctors leaving the country in the recent past had led to the current scarcity.   

“The issues created over SAITM for many years had resulted in the late emergence of doctors. The Examination to Register to Practise Medicine (ERPM) was also not held for two years,” he said.   

Therefore, the GMOA requested the Government to extend the retirement age of doctors to 63 years in order to overcome the situation in rural hospitals at least temporarily.   
“However, it is unfortunate that no Cabinet approval has been granted as yet on this issue,” he said.

• The issues created over SAITAM for many years had resulted in late emergence of doctors. The Examination to Register to Practise Medicine (ERPM) was also not held for two years