Brain Drain: Over 200 doctors left without notice within a year, says GMOA

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Government Medical Officers Association of Sri Lanka said that during the period of one year ending on the 31st of May 2023, a total of 274 specialist doctors migrated from Sri Lanka.

The GMOA said that during the same period, a total of 842 graded medical officers migrated overseas. 

Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe. the GMOA Spokesperson told reporters on Monday (14) that the sole anesthetist at the Hambantota General Hospital has left the country without informing authorities. 

He said that over the past year and a half, a total of 30 anesthetists have left the country. 

"The services of an anesthetist are vital during serious and complex surgeries. During the 12-month window ending on the 31st of May 2023, a total of 842 graded medical personnel have left the country, and 274 specialist doctors have left the country. There were 30 doctors categorized as emergency services, and 23 of them have left the country, leaving only 7 in Sri Lanka," he said.

Sri Lanka's Health Ministry said that the migration of medical personnel has had a significant impact on the country's health service. 

Dr. Priyantha Atapattu, Director of the Tertiary Care Services Unit of the Ministry of Health said that from the 10th of January 2022 to the 31st of July 2023, a total of 263 doctors returned to Sri Lanka after completing overseas training. 

He said that around 120 of them have left the country without informing the authorities. 

"Among them are 29 anesthetists. 11 of them were issued notice that they had vacated their positions," he added.

The Citizens' Movement Against Fraud, Corruption, and Waste filed a complaint with the Human Rights Commission of Sri Lanka seeking action over incidents of doctors migrating overseas.

Their complaint was based on the incident where the sole anesthetist at Hambantota General Hospital left the country without informing authorities. 

Jamuni Kamantha Thushara, the Chairman of the Citizens' Movement Against Fraud, Corruption, and Waste said that government must confiscate the assets of doctors who leave the country without informing the authorities.

Sri Lanka's Health Ministry has decided to take action with regard to the medical personnel who are leaving the country without informing the authorities.

"When a doctor goes overseas, he or she entered into an agreement. That is, following overseas training, they would come back to Sri Lanka and serve for four years per each year of overseas training. If it was a two-year period for overseas training, he will have to serve in the country for eight years. If doctors go overseas without informing, they need to pay the fine. If a doctor leaves without notice, he or she would be issued with a VOP notice, and will be blacklisted. So, when a person is blacklisted, can he or she serve in another country? Can they be issued with educational qualifications? We hope to introduce strict laws in this regard," detailed Dr. Priyantha Atapattu, the Director of the Tertiary Care Services Unit of the Ministry of Health.

The Government Medical Officers' Association says instead of punishing the doctors, authorities must create an environment for doctors to remain in the country.

The Health Ministry notes that doctors migrating should take place legally.