- J’pura Hosp. neurosurgery consultant re-remanded, 2 others bailed
The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has called on the Ministry of Health to investigate and submit an expert report as soon as possible on recent incidents that have led to non-experts publicly criticising complex surgical and medical procedures.
In a letter addressed to Health and Mass Media Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, the AMS raised concerns about open comments made by individuals with no medical background – without consulting professionals – on the suitability and outcomes of high-risk treatments performed by specialists.
“This has led to virulent attacks on medical specialists using social media with attempts to create significant doubts about our healthcare system in the minds of the general public and raising anxiety in patients who are awaiting or undergoing such surgical/medical treatment. Further, these comments are aimed at tarnishing the image of specialists in general and our healthcare system in particular,” the statement, which was shared with The Daily Morning by an AMS member, read.
The AMS urged the ministry to conduct a formal inquiry into recent incidents that have led to such comments and to issue a clear, expert-led statement to counter misinformation. They added that it is of great importance to safeguard the interests of medical specialists who are delivering a yeoman service throughout the country, at times, with limited resources.
The letter comes amid controversy surrounding the ongoing legal case involving a senior consultant neurosurgeon who was recently remanded over allegations of corruption and professional misconduct, Dr. Maheshi Wijeratne. She was arrested last month by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC), along with two others. They are accused of directing patients to purchase essential neurosurgical equipment – such as external ventricular drains and ventriculoperitoneal shunt – at highly inflated prices through unofficial third-party channels. Allegations have also surfaced that Dr. Wijeratne deliberately kept non-viable patients on life support to facilitate the use and sale of these devices.
Meanwhile, the Colombo Magistrate’s Court has ordered that the consultant neurosurgeon attached to the Sri Jayewardenepura General Hospital, Dr. Wijeratne, who was previously arrested and remanded by the CIABOC, be further remanded until 15 July. Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali issued the order after considering the facts presented by officials from the CIABOC and the legal representatives of the defence. The Court also ordered the release on bail of two other suspects who had been remanded in connection with the same case.