• Says transfers of over 23,000 doctors have been disrupted
• Dr. Wijesinghe says transfer of 10,000 MOs not implemented

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) alleged that owing to the arbitrary conduct of certain Health Ministry officials, the transfers of over 23,000 doctors have been disrupted.

GMOA Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe levelled these allegations during a press briefing, where he claimed that the relevant ministry officials have not followed the existing established procedures, recommendations and guidelines.

“Transfers of over 10,000 Grade Medical Officers have not been implemented, which means that close to 50% of doctors are not working in the hospitals or wards that they should be working in. At the same time, the issuance of doctors’ annual transfer list 2025 has been delayed by nine months,” he claimed.

Dr. Wijesinghe added that discussions were held with the Health Minister in this regard, where the minister acknowledged these issues and promised solutions: “If the Government’s policy is to initiate a system change, we believe that the Health Minister and the President should take action with regard to the officials that work outside the existing systems and create an unnecessary crisis within the health sector.”

Attempts to contact the Minister of Health and the Secretary to the ministry regarding the GMOA allegations failed.