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GMOA faults Cabinet for shortage of doctors
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday (23) faulted the government for what its Secretary Dr. Senal Fernando called a ‘serious shortage of doctors in the country.’
Dr. Fernando, in a statement to The Island said that the issue at hand could be solved by increasing the retirement age of doctors from 60 to 63 with immediate effect.
However, the GMOA’s request to the government to increase the retirement age of doctors had been held up at the Cabinet, Dr. Fernando said, pointing out that the government delayed a decision on the matter in spite of knowing the deteriorating situation particularly in the provinces.
The GMOA Secretary attributed the shortage of doctors to the SAITM issue as well as the delay in holding of the ERPM examination for those who obtained foreign medical degrees.
Dr. Fernando urged the government to extend the retirement age without further delay to address the issue (SF)