News
AMS explains primary reason for exodus of medical specialists
One of the key factors that contributed to the exodus of medical specialists from the state sector is the disparity of the total remuneration received by the state medical specialists when compared to parallel grades in the government sector, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) says.
There was always a shortage of medical specialists in the system but that gap increased rapidly due to the economic crisis, the AMS has said in a media statement.
“Shortage was mostly created both by the exodus of medical specialists from the state sector (migration or joining non-state sector) and by failure to return after overseas training, the AMS said.
“The disparity of total remuneration received by the state medical specialists when compared to parallel grades in the government sector is mainly due to the certain allowances like transport and other service specific allowances for medical specialists were placed at much lower level.
“For example, the mandatory out of the hours and offsite on call duties performed by state sector medical specialists were not recognized for suitable remuneration and even the onsite out of the hours on call duties were remunerated only after compiling lengthy daily entries and monthly form filling.”
The essential non-clinical administrative work done by medical specialists was also not subjected to any service specific allowance and the combined disturbances, availability, and transport (DAT) allowance paid was much less than the transport allowance alone paid to similar categories in the state sector, AMS has said.
“AMS initiated and conducted several discussions with the President, Minister of Health, the officers of the presidential secretariat and senior health officials where decisions were taken in favour of medical specialists and some of those decisions were rightly included as budget proposals in the 2024 Budget speech.
“Unfortunately, there seems to be some reluctance and delay in implementing these budget proposals and this will aggravate the current crisis both in the cities and the periphery bringing much hardship to the poor and vulnerable sectors of our society who cannot afford expensive private health care.
“Hence the AMS warns of dire consequences of non-implementation of these budget proposals and strongly requests the relevant authorities to move swiftly to implement what was proposed at the recent budget speech and the other decisions arrived during many discussions AMS had with the officials of the presidential secretariat and ministry of health. This will ensure that the state health service will function normally without causing difficulties to the ordinary Sri Lankan public.”
Members of the South Asian Journalists Forum have gathered at the University of New Delhi for a two day conference themed ‘Peace and Co-operation’.
Journalists from Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka and India are attending the conference hosted by the University of Delhi in collaboration with the India Chapter of SJF, and will deliberate on how the media can act as a catalyst for regional stability and mutual coexsistence.
A tree plantation campaign was also held at the Ghandi Bhawan premises of the University to mark the event and symbolize growing regional ties.
The Sri Lanka delegation is led by President of SJF’s Sri Lanka Chapter Rahul Samantha Hettiarachchi.
The Governor of the of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, along with the Deputy Chief Minister of Gujarat, Harsh Sanghvi, met with Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursdy [February 05] at the Parliamentary Complex to discuss the arrangements related to the exposition of the Devnimori Sacred Relics of Lord Buddha, which have been brought to Sri Lanka under the patronage of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government of India.
These sacred relics of Lord Buddha were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted in the 1960s at the historic Devnimori site in Gujarat, the home state of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Until now, these relics had never been taken outside India. As a result of discussions held between President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Sri Lanka, the people of Sri Lanka have been granted this rare opportunity to venerate these sacred relics.
The exposition of the relics is being held for a period of seven days, from February 05 to February 11, at the Gangaramaya Temple in Hunupitiya, Colombo. Discussions were held between both parties regarding the arrangements related to this event.
The discussion was attended by Samar Nanda, Joint Secretary of the Indian Ministry of Culture; Dr. Satyanjal Pandey, Acting High Commissioner of India in Sri Lanka; Abhijit Halder, Director General of the International Buddhist Confederation; along with several others.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
The Indian Naval Ship (INS) GHARIAL made a port call in Colombo for operational turnarounds on 04 Feb 26. The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the visiting ship in compliance with naval traditions.
Commanded by Commander Gaurav Tewari, INS GHARIAL is a vessel with a length of 124.8 meters.
During this visit, ten (10) Bailey Bridges, brought by ship, through the coordination of the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka, will be handed over to the Disaster Management Center. These bridges will provide temporary transportation links while bridges damaged across the island by adverse weather conditions are repaired.
The crew’s itinerary features scheduled goodwill activities with the Sri Lanka Navy, alongside visits to several tourist attractions across the island.
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