• MCPA claims shortages in outstation hospitals

While nearly 5,000 medical graduates are waiting for Government internship appointments, the health sector continues to face shortages of specialist doctors and medical officers in several hospitals, creating a growing human resource crisis in the country’s free health service, according to a medical trade union.

President of the Medical and Civil Rights Professional Association of Doctors (MCPA), Dr Chamal Sanjeewa told the media yesterday (29) that there is a risk that these medical graduates could eventually join the growing queue of unemployed graduates if urgent action is not taken. He said that the situation highlighted weaknesses in the planning and management of human resources within the health sector.

“Although many new specialist services have been introduced into the health system, the required human resource structures have not been properly reviewed and approved,” Dr Sanjeewa lamented. He said that this is one of the reasons why shortages within the Health Ministry are not being properly reflected. The Finance Ministry, the Treasury and the Audit Department should work together with the Health Ministry to address the human resource management crisis that it faces, he added.

He said that while official circulars indicate that there is no overall shortage of doctors in the country, a severe shortage exists when providing services at regional hospitals, rural hospitals, estate hospitals, Medical Officer of Health (MOH) offices and other primary and teaching hospitals. According to Dr Sanjeewa, shortages of anaesthetists, paediatricians, surgeons and sub-specialist doctors are also becoming increasingly serious. He said that this situation is directly affecting patients who depend on the free healthcare system.

Dr Sanjeewa further said that a trend is once again emerging where newly appointed young doctors are considering leaving the country due to the difficulties faced within the system. He called on the authorities to immediately focus attention on the existing crisis and to take necessary steps to address the issue.

Health Ministry Secretary Dr Anil Jasinghe, when contacted, said that if there is a shortage, the Ministry would increase the cadre in the future. “Therefore, it is unlikely to become a problem in the near future. However, the issue may have to be addressed in the future. It is difficult to say when that will happen, but, at present, there is no problem,” he said, noting that currently, appointments are being given to those graduating from medical faculties in the country.