Health Ministry in limbo as exodus of doctors makes a comeback

1 July 2024 06:40 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 51 Bookmark

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- Out of 3500 doctors who sat for PLAB exam in UK, 750 were Sri Lankans

- Nearly 400 specialists have left in the past two years, which was becoming a “huge problem” for the Sri Lankan health sector

With the medical brain drain back on the increase after a period of decline, the Health Ministry is in a tight spot as they run out of options to tackle the matter.

Reports indicate that nearly 5,000 Sri Lankan doctors have successfully passed exams qualifying them to practice abroad, intensifying concerns within the Health Ministry. With approximately 20,000 doctors currently employed in government health institutions across Sri Lanka, the potential departure of a significant number poses a serious challenge.

Furthermore, out of 3,500 candidates who took the PLAB exam, which assesses their readiness to practice in the UK, about 750 were from Sri Lanka. Of the 2,100 candidates who passed the exam, 550 were Sri Lankans.

The PLAB (Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board) exam is a test that overseas doctors must pass in order to practice medicine in the United Kingdom

These developments have raised eyebrows among health authorities as they have hit a dead end to the matter, according to sources.

Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Dr. Asela Gunawardena, Director General of Health Services expressed deep concern over the exodus of specialists, whose expertise is invaluable.

"Despite a significant number of doctors in the pipeline and plans to appoint more interns, the decision of specialists opting to leave the country is beyond our control," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) Media Spokesman Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe told Daily Mirror that notwithstanding they had proposed to the government ways to mitigate the brain drain of doctors like financial incentives and restructuring of salary system, the proposals have fallen on deaf ears.

He estimated that nearly 400 specialists have left in the past two years, which was becoming a “huge problem” for the Sri Lankan health sector.

In response, the Health DG said increasing the salary is really challenging at this juncture since the country is just recovering from the economic crisis.

“However, the Ministry is working diligently to address the matter with taking salary increment also into consideration,” he added.

The Health Ministry continues to grapple with this escalating crisis as they seek viable strategies to stem the outflow of medical professionals and maintain healthcare standards across the nation.

Comments - 51

M Fernando Monday, 01 July 2024 07:25 AM

President should ban SL doctors from sitting this exam. Those who object or protest should be water-cannoned and tear-gassed, same as other protestors are treated.

496 87

Smh Monday, 01 July 2024 07:31 AM

GMOA's fault.

191 267

True Sri Lankan Monday, 01 July 2024 07:36 AM

Please allow foreign doctors to work in Sri Lanka. This is the ONLY way to manage this situation temporarily and then the government should set up at least 5 foreign/private medical universities in the country. This way we will be giving opportunities for smart all rounders from good families to study medicine in the country and these sort of people will be the ones who will remain in the country since they are financially well off even before they became doctors. So they do not need to migrate for a quick buck !!

152 474

ruwan Monday, 01 July 2024 03:13 PM

you are dreaming if you think they will come for this salary

361 210

Raymond Monday, 01 July 2024 07:44 AM

Let them G O Nothing special Human body is same since Adam and Eve other fields are changing frequently and also in demand

144 40

Grace Monday, 01 July 2024 10:50 AM

Some Humans are developing additional brains. In Sri Lanka also there is a person with an additional brain.

21 47

Athk69 Monday, 01 July 2024 08:08 AM

If increasing the salary is an issue, why can't the government reduce the tax % of all salaried employees?

163 151

Leo Monday, 01 July 2024 04:20 PM

Yes can if we didn't had universal free education, free health and the world's biggest public sector to pay salaries.

1 24

ruwan Monday, 01 July 2024 08:08 AM

when the country does not treat its professionals, this is inevitable. people still say Srilankan doctors can't get through UK, AUS exams. look at the figures. they not only get through, but also enter into their PG pathways easily. if there is no financial stability with your qualifications in your country, and another country offers you a 20 times salery, one can't expect them to remain.

43 306

Kays Monday, 01 July 2024 08:15 AM

According to the latest report on UK GMC website Sri Lankan doctors had highest pass rate at the PLAB 1 (theory paper)- 125, and was amongst the lowest in the world at the PLAB 2 (practical skills) - 59. Overall pass rate at PLAB is hghest in the age group 26-27 years. Could the increase mentioned in the news story be due to overseas university MBBS qualified giving up on SLMC administered ERPM examination that places a high bar on them. If local university MBBS had to sit the same exam the results could be enlightening.

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Rishan Wednesday, 03 July 2024 05:17 AM

Very true, we ourselves thought of us high intelligence, put severe stress on Doctors passed out from overseas universities. If I am. doctor serving for 35 years and if my son or daughter is passed out from overseas university cannot work cannot work here because of this exam, naturally I too would leave with my family. Instead of making the tests and repeatedly failing, those failed doctors could be given training for certain period even by charging a nominal fees.

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Doctor Exodus: Health Ministry in a Pickle as Medics Make a Run for It. Monday, 01 July 2024 08:47 AM

The Health Ministry is facing turmoil as a resurgence of doctor exodus unfolds. The situation is attributed to the government's monopoly on free medical education and its prohibition on private medical institutions from granting medical degrees, which is now plaguing the healthcare sector. Without reforms to the state-controlled and union-dominated medical education system, there seems to be no solution in sight, leaving the public to bear the consequences.

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Terrence K Monday, 01 July 2024 08:53 AM

The government should not panic because Doctors have passed the test by the Professional and Linguists Assessment of UK. This is one assessment which foreign doctors have to pass but that does not mean that all these doctors will have job opportunities in those hospitals to practice. Many doctors from foreign countries like India, Sri Lanka, Cuba etc are doing menial jobs hidden factor in Western countries although they have passed this test. Doctors who have specialized in the respective field for many years have also to face competition from doctors of other countries in the current situation of economic difficulties. Since a professional passes his MBBS does not permit him to use the abbreviation Dr unless he/she passes the MD. So these Doctors should not think that there are job opportunities and run away because of media highlighting this aspect. Do a survey and anyone who thinks otherwise will get the facts of the situation especially in Western Countries!!!!!!!!

127 60

KP Tuesday, 02 July 2024 10:26 PM

You think doctors haven’t been abroad? They know exactly the potential and the demand for doctors there. It has only increased after the Brexit and COVID. That’s why they are leaving. Good try, trying to mislead doctors into staying. Doctors are not ignorant fools to fall to that. The only way to convince anyone to stay is by matching the pay to the demand. Period.

3 1

Judge Monday, 01 July 2024 09:04 AM

If they go to UK or Aus, they will not be able to earn tax free money as they do in private practice in SL. All income, I mean, all, will be properly taxed. The patient care sis also different > more accountability when treating patents. They will not get duty free car permits and will be treated exactly same way as other professionals. It will be a level playing field, no special treatments. In those countries you can only earn money via legitimate means. Agree that the living standards of those countries are higher.

17 43

Perera Monday, 01 July 2024 12:29 PM

LOL. If you have access to google, check after tax salaries of doctors in UK, Aus and other develop countries.

0 102

Nish Tuesday, 02 July 2024 07:48 AM

Also check expenses. Salaries and expenses are both in dollars/pounds.

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ruwan Monday, 01 July 2024 12:30 PM

even after tax, the salary will be 10 times higher than here. and reasonable work time. those doctors who are doing those exams are junior doctors who have no established private practices.

0 61

Dilshan Perera Monday, 01 July 2024 01:02 PM

That level playing field is perfect to excel in, and is proved by their better incomes unlike here! Ever wonder why Sri Lanka never runs out of magistrates and judges?? These scum are the most corrupt in the country, earn huge ill gotten gains, and are completely useless abroad! No body wants them!

0 5

Nish Monday, 01 July 2024 04:29 PM

Anyone is free to leave if they don't give a shit about fellow citizen but opposing private medical education just to secure their internship opportunities and then abandoning the patients is selfish. That is the whole point here.

0 80

Hon. Sarneris Monday, 01 July 2024 09:10 AM

Who cares. As long as the royal family is healthy and enjoying no problem.

1 127

Retired doctor Monday, 01 July 2024 09:39 AM

Allow Sri Lankan doctors who do not hold dual citizenship to re register in SLMC. They should be allowed charity work and to practice on their own.During Sunami period such doctors were allowed in.Why not now to help out?

1 87

Aram Monday, 01 July 2024 10:53 AM

Useless doctors, please take action to produce doctors who can serve their own people bcoz they have studied free of charge.

179 344

Hansika Monday, 01 July 2024 11:05 AM

Shameless fellows studying in Srilankan tax payers money and going abroad. Finally criticizing the doctors who studied abroad and who had the good will to come back to serve their mother country. Ban them forever from Srilankan Medical Council. It is now up to the people to get the tax working.

19 59

ruwan Monday, 01 July 2024 03:17 PM

tax payers money is not only spent on medical education. it's from 1 to 13 for all and all other higher education institutions.

114 188

Nimal Tuesday, 02 July 2024 03:10 AM

Then why is GMOA opposing private medical schools? Go wherever you want. Don't oppose others getting an education. You can't have both ways.

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Frustrated Monday, 01 July 2024 11:15 PM

A known person’s daughter and brother studied in a foreign country and became Doctors with their own money. When they, brother and daughter came back to practice in Sri Lanka, they were not welcome. They faced uphill task to register. Both of them went abroad and doing very well I was told. There are many foreign qualified Sri Lankan medical graduates in Sri Lanka struggling to get into service the public I read in an article in one of the newspapers.

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Rajan V Pillai Monday, 01 July 2024 11:41 AM

Doctors Crisis is a Crisis created by the present Government run by Ranil Wickremasinghe. This was forecasted once Ranil's Government announced Five(5) years no pay leave to Public Servants including Medical Professionals to work overseas. So Doctors are using this Golden opportunity. No Parliamentarian claiming to represent People raised their voice at that moment. Sri Lanka is having Medical Faculties at its tax payers money for its Passouts to look after mostly Australians . Those Sri Lankan Doctors in overseas never remit money back, but sell their assets in Sri Lanka and take them. Of course this situation is ideal if we have more doctors than needed. This will lead to opening Medical Education to Private Sector. We have thousands of Advanced Level Qualified Students suitable for Medical studies , but our Universities admit thousands of Students to Art Faculties.

3 14

Felix De mel Monday, 01 July 2024 11:43 AM

This issue discussed is only about doctors. There are more other professionals like engineers etc., leaving as well. Most of their concern is their children living in Sri Lanka. With the present situation we are seeing an increase in Drug addicts, robberies and basically it is an unsafe country. If you have a slight accident with a 3 wheeler can you escape? The 3 wheel guy will let out all filth on you and threaten you and as a decent citizen you will be disgusted. You will always find a way of escaping out of this country

0 27

RuwanL Monday, 01 July 2024 12:03 PM

There are over 2000 foreign qualified doctors who sat for the local ERPM exam. Increase the intake as they are interested to work in Sri Lanka. This is a very easy solution. Give them an additional training if required.

1 53

Pro Maheepala Monday, 01 July 2024 12:22 PM

Doctors

1 1

Liberal One Monday, 01 July 2024 12:25 PM

Hello Doctor, I paid your medical college bill. Now do I have to buy a plane ticket and come after you to check my illnesses?

7 15

Dilshan Perera Monday, 01 July 2024 12:58 PM

All health professionals should leave SL, even nurses and pharmacists! Why work in this failure when they can work with 20 times salaries in much better facilities treating much more thankful and important patients abroad? Sri Lankan people should look at lower options such as prescribing pharmacists, prescribing nurses, prescribing non medics and Do-it-yourself Surgery, etc.. they deserve this suffering! Also make note.. No foreign doctors will ever work in SL with these conditions and worthless patients.. Private medical colleges will do nothing for this issue as these graduates will be the 1st to migrate, immediately after getting degrees! SL people and patients are truly f...!

14 5

Liberal One Monday, 01 July 2024 04:11 PM

Yes yes but please don't oppose private medical education and Indian doctors practising here. If that fails it's our problem, not the problem of those who will be leaving for UK after the graduation.

1 2

Malan Monday, 01 July 2024 04:18 PM

This is not backed by facts. 90% of those who go to Russia or India for MBBS come back to serve Sri Lanka. I guess a question of ethics.

1 2

Dr Monday, 01 July 2024 02:00 PM

Increase intakes of medical students by 50% to recover this and allocate more funds for higher education and for medical faculty..recruit some india academics to train more doctors if you do not have enough academics to teach medicine

14 0

Bandara Gamaga Monday, 01 July 2024 02:56 PM

GMOA, don't want private medical schools. Doctors use tax payers money to qualify and go overseas to make big money. None of the rich countries give free tuition for doctors, only in SL. What a sweet deal for doctors, poor citizens get screwed.

0 11

Ram Monday, 01 July 2024 03:26 PM

Before giving the intern training get them to sign Bonds not to leave the country for a prescribed period, say 10 years. Those who go for postgraduate qualifications before the go get them to sign bonds agreeing to work for additional 10 years the total being 20. The guarantors must be persons having wealth or request them to hypothecate property. The Bonds must be for substantial amounts

1 5

NEVER BLAME THOSE WHO MIGRATE OR GO TO WORK OVERSEAS FOR A BETTER LIFE. UNTIL THE CORRUPTION IS WIPED OUT BRAIN DRAIN ETC WILL CONTINUE. Monday, 01 July 2024 04:52 PM

AS FAR AS I KNOW DOCTORS HAVE TO RETURN AFTER QUALIFYING AND WORK EX AMOUNT OF YEARS COMPULSORY OR ELSE PAY BACK THE COST OF THEIR OVERSEAS STINT. MANY ARE OPTING TO REPAY AND REMAIN IN THE UK AND OR AUSTRALIA. WAGES ARE WAY HIGHER, THEY ARE PERMITTED TO DO PRIVATE PRACTICE AFTER HOURS TOO WHICH MEANS HIGHER WAGES. DOCTORS ON CALL 24/7 SO THEY CAN GET INTO THIS TOO. NO CASH IN HAND ETC, EVERYTHING $ THEY EARN IS ACCOUNTED FOR AND THEY ARE WAY BETTER OFF. THEY DO NOT NEED DUTY FREE CARS, THEY BUY THEIR OWN, LOANS AND LEASING TO BUY. ALSO TREATED WITH RESPECT AND MOST OF ALL THEIR CHILDREN TOO BENEFIT WITH A BETTER LIFE AND EDUCATION WHICH IS FREE, ONLY PAYMENT IS IF ONE GOES TO UNIVERSITY AND YRS ARE GIVEN TO REPAY ONCE THE PERSON STARTS WORKING. GOVT'S FOR DECADES HAVE FLEECED THE SYSTEMS AND THE POOR MAJORITY ARE SUFFERING.

0 86

sam Monday, 01 July 2024 04:58 PM

Educated professionals like doctors and engineers should be adequately compensated.

0 38

ONLY PARTY THAT HAS THE GUTS AND BACKBONES TO IMPLEMENT THIS IS ANURA NPP/JVP Monday, 01 July 2024 04:58 PM

RANIL HAD A GOOD CHANCE TO GO AFTER THE CORRUPT POLITICIANS AND PUBLIC SERVICE CROOKS, BUT SWEPT THE MAIN ISSUE AS TO HOW THE COUNTRY CAME CRASHING DOWN. ALL THAT ILLGOTTEN MONEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN CONFISCATED AND PROPERTIES TOO WHERE EVER IT HAS BEEN STACKED AWAY USING FAMILY AND STOOGES AS OWNERS FOR A FEE, UNTIL IT HAS ALL DIED DOWN AND IT GETS TRANSFERED BACK TO THEM. STILL HOPE IF A NEW GOVERNMENT GOES AFTER THE CROOKS, CONFISCATE THEIR WEALTH, LOCK THEM ALL UP AND THROW THE KEYS AWAY.

0 0

Tissa Fernando Monday, 01 July 2024 05:19 PM

I think finally someone is trying to get Indian Doctors qualified from boutique colleges to come and work here . Sri lankan are planning their own demise. JVP and GMOA are responsible for the current shortage of Doctors. They should make it paid education and increase intake and establish more medical colleges. Those who qualify should be provided with a loan to cover their expenses and tuition fees. Once they qualify they can do whatever they want but they will need yo pay back the loan.

21 48

Tissa Fernando Monday, 01 July 2024 05:19 PM

I think finally someone is trying to get Indian Doctors qualified from boutique colleges to come and work here . Sri lankan are planning their own demise. JVP and GMOA are responsible for the current shortage of Doctors. They should make it paid education and increase intake and establish more medical colleges. Those who qualify should be provided with a loan to cover their expenses and tuition fees. Once they qualify they can do whatever they want but they will need yo pay back the loan.

1 23

Tissa Fernando Monday, 01 July 2024 05:19 PM

I think finally someone is trying to get Indian Doctors qualified from boutique colleges to come and work here . Sri lankan are planning their own demise. JVP and GMOA are responsible for the current shortage of Doctors. They should make it paid education and increase intake and establish more medical colleges. Those who qualify should be provided with a loan to cover their expenses and tuition fees. Once they qualify they can do whatever they want but they will need yo pay back the loan.

1 32

RANIL WILL LIVE TO REGRET NOT TAKING THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COUNTRIES DOWNFALL, INCLUDING THOSE NAMED IN THE BOND AND SUGAR SCAMS. Monday, 01 July 2024 10:14 PM

DO NOT BLAME JVP FOR THE BRAIN DRAIN. BLAME THE CORRUPT GOVT'S WHO DRAINED THE COUNTRY AND BLED IT DRY. SOME POLITICIANS CAME IN TO FEATHER THEIR NESTS, THEIR FAMILIES AND STOOGES AND NOT TO WORK FOR THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT WHO THEY ARE AND SHOULD BE HOOFED OUT OF POLITICS. WE NEED A COMPLETE CHANGE, OR THE COUNTRY IS DOOMED.

1 3

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 02 July 2024 04:26 AM

JVP is part of the problem because Doctors cannot send their children to state universities because of JVP disruptive activities. JVP is also going to control Doctors if they come to power so they are planning to leave the country. Corrupt politicians as well as JVP have destroyed this country. JVP is now trying to play like a saint. But we know what they have been doing.

0 0

saman Monday, 01 July 2024 08:22 PM

Dad, have you got to go and work in a foreign country? why is that? Because a president without a mandate is ruling this country with few thieves. Therefore, the professional has no future in this country neither our children can see a future. That's why I must go to a foreign country to work, my daughter. I will come back when a clean political party with no hidden agenda takes over this country after the elections. Then all this brain drain will stop. 3 months from now I'm sure it will happen when the NPP group comes into power.

0 1

ROHINI Monday, 01 July 2024 08:24 PM

Make sure what the problem is. Look at the possible solutions in all aspects. Question is WHY? Answer is because they are not Happy. Why ? Not enough compensation for a comfortable life.. Poor administration. Integrity of administrators Zero. Poor hind sight and even worse Foresight of people in power.

0 0

Citizen in Paradise Tuesday, 02 July 2024 02:41 AM

After reading the mostly sour grape comments by our very intelligent public, one can finally deduce thus: Medical education in SL should be open to anyone and everyone without any entry criteria so that all-rounders from well-moneyed families will become doctors and serve all Sri Lankans from Kahatagasdigiliya in Anuradhapura to Jinthupitiya in Colombo for a salary of 200K (110k to 130k basic and fixed allowances 70k to 90k OT)! I simply can't understand why we haven't done this already! - I mean it's a win - win for all concerned isn't it!

0 6

Roberta Flack Tuesday, 02 July 2024 04:15 AM

‘Suba aranchiyak’ don’t worry Ranil will solve it for us. There is petrol, there are dollars and soon there will be doctors. We will have everything except food because we will be all paying high taxes for the money that was robbed

0 0

kumar Thursday, 04 July 2024 08:59 AM

If they go pls let them go, but without 5 year leave. There were russian qualified doctors sent on UGC approved Universities but weren't allowed to take internship and sit for the qualifying exam in srilanka since were suspected of clinical experience due to covid. If so they could have been provided extended internship without cost. Instead they were asked to make an FR application and came to the same settlement, For a simple FR application they were directed to known attorneys who charged around Rs.4 Million in total. Did any one from the Medical council get a cut?, by routing thro. Doctors have avenues to earn income, but if they want to leave don,t stop them by creating salary anomalies as the young Doctors could catch up. Further Ayurvedic and other local medicines are also capable of meeting the needs not western medicines alone. Be practical without misleading .

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