• Claim temporary SLMC registration was denied
• Seek probe into health camp finances

The Government Dental Surgeons’ Association (GDSA) has raised concerns over reports that foreign health personnel are examining and treating patients at health camps organised by certain non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the Eastern Province without authorisation to practise in Sri Lanka.

GDSA General Secretary Dr Aruna Abhayawardhana told The Daily Morning yesterday (24) that the Association had been informed that foreign health personnel attached to one of the organisations in question had applied for temporary registration with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), but that the application had been rejected.

“The GDSA is completely opposed to any foreign health personnel examining or treating patients in Sri Lanka without first obtaining temporary registration from the SLMC,” Dr Abhayawardhana said.

He noted that SLMC registration is a legal requirement intended to ensure that those providing clinical care are qualified, competent, accountable and subject to professional discipline.

Dr Abhayawardhana further said that the presence of locally registered medical or dental professionals at the camps did not authorise unregistered foreign personnel to examine or treat patients.

“Every individual who delivers clinical care in Sri Lanka must hold the relevant permission from the SLMC in their own right,” he said.

Meanwhile, the GDSA said it had also received complaints alleging that large sums of money were circulating around the health camps, raising concerns about possible illegal financial activity, including money laundering.

Dr Abhayawardhana said the allegations were serious and should be subject to a thorough and transparent inquiry.

He urged the Government, Health Ministry, SLMC, National Secretariat for NGOs, Financial Intelligence Unit of the Central Bank, Police and other relevant authorities to investigate the operations of the health camps and the organisations and individuals involved.

The Association has also called for the sources, flow and use of funds connected with the activities to be examined, and for clinical activity by any unregistered personnel to be stopped.

Responding to queries from The Daily Morning, Provincial Director of Health Services – Eastern Province Dr N Saravanabavan said that an activity involving the health personnel had taken place, but that it had not been permitted by the Eastern Province health authorities.

“There was an action but we did not allow that,” he said.

He said the activity had taken place during the last couple of days but had not been authorised by the provincial health authorities.

Attempts to contact the SLMC for comment proved futile.