GMOA raises concerns over removal of specialist posts in hospitals

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has raised alarms about the removal of specialist medical positions in hospitals across Sri Lanka. Dr. Sanjeewa Thennakoon, the association's President, mentioned that transfers of medical officers are being affected by political influence. He highlighted that while Sri Lanka needs 3,000 specialist doctors, only about 2,100 are currently available to serve. Dr. Thennakoon also expressed concern that the current government is planning to close certain departments in national hospitals. He specifically pointed out that the Colombo North Centre for Liver Diseases at Ragama Hospital is set to shut down. Reports indicate that the specialist roles for treating patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at the National Hospital have been eliminated. Additionally, a specialist medical unit at the Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children has been closed, and plans are underway to eliminate the specialist position at the Outpatient Department (OPD) of Ragama Hospital. Dr. Thennakoon further noted that a specialist unit at the Outpatient Department of Vavuniya Hospital is also being cut due to political interference. He cautioned that these changes might result in more specialist doctors leaving Sri Lanka.