Public Service Retirement: Health Sector at Risk

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Government Medical Officers Association points out the decision to retire state sector employees after the age of 60 has put the lives of patients receiving treatment in hospitals at risk because many doctors will be forced to retire from December.

The GMOA says as a result of this decision scheduled surgeries will have to be abandoned. 

The Association of Medical Specialists said that nearly 300 specialist doctors will have to retire from public service on or before December 31st of 2022 as per the circular issued by the Ministry of Public Administration amending the retirement age of state employees. 

The Association revealed that under the directive, 43 specialists of the Colombo National Hospital, 30 specialists of the Kandy National Hospital, 17 specialists of the Karapitiya Teaching Hospital, 15 specialists of the Lady Ridgeway Children’s Hospital, and 09 specialists of the Apeksha Hospital will have to retire.

It was proposed in the Interim Budget 2022 to amend the retirement age of state sector employees to 60 years, from the 65 years age requirement implemented in 2021.

Accordingly, all Government employees aged 60 years or above must retire by December 31st, 2022.