• Cite salary/allowance gaps

The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has urged the Government to recognise the unique demands of medical specialists to resolve the critical shortage of medical specialists in the country.

The call comes following the recent Parliamentary speech by Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, who spoke about the challenges facing medical specialists during his address on 7 August.

In a statement issued yesterday (11), the AMS welcomed Dr. Jayatissa’s assessment and thanked him for raising awareness of the issue among Parliamentarians and the public. The AMS stressed that urgent and decisive action is needed to address the significant salary and allowance gaps faced by medical specialists compared to their peers in parallel grade State officer positions.

The AMS called for the immediate introduction of appropriate allowances to recognise the unique demands of medical specialists, including frequent disruptions, constant availability, travel to hospitals at unsociable hours, heavy extra duties both on-site and off-site, as well as responsibilities in administration, teaching, training, research, and professional development.

The AMS said that addressing these discrepancies would help retain medical talent and directly improve Government health services.

During the Parliamentary session, Dr. Jayatissa also extended an open invitation to medical specialists who have gone overseas to come back and contribute to rebuilding the nation’s healthcare system. He revealed that around 570 specialists selected over the past five years have left the service or resigned, with about 60- 65% of those who travel abroad for postgraduate training failing to return. There are currently 201 specialists over the age of 60 and 544 between 55 and 60, highlighting the need to replenish the workforce.