Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Harini Amarasuriya has emphasized the need to add a new dimension to Sri Lanka’s medical education to produce doctors with compassion.

She made the remarks at the inaugural meeting of the expert committee appointed to draft a National Policy on Medical Education, held at the Ministry of Education recently (26).

The committee is tasked with preparing a comprehensive policy to strengthen medical education in line with national health needs. 

Initial discussions focused on identifying areas for development, proposing short‑term and sustainable solutions to current challenges, and ensuring reforms that directly impact the country’s future and public well‑being.

PM Amarasuriya stressed that policy attention must be directed towards curriculum reforms, evaluation processes, clinical training, medical research, faculty staffing, and infrastructure. 

She also highlighted the importance of introducing awareness mechanisms for students selecting medical courses, as well as reforms in general and higher education to produce disciplined doctors suited to modern demands. (Newswire)

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The Government Medical Officers’ Association today (13 Jan) launched a doctors’ strike across all hospitals in the Eastern Province.

The strike was initiated, demanding the removal of the Medical Superintendent of the Akkaraipattu Base Hospital, citing administrative and financial irregularities, and calling for the appointment of another director to the post.

Accordingly, the strike is being carried out in 2 general hospitals, 1 teaching hospital, 17 base hospitals, 52 district hospitals, and 113 primary medical centres in the Eastern Province.

However, GMOA Executive Committee Member and Ampara District Organizer Dr. Janith Peduruarachchi stated that doctors in all hospitals in Ampara, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee districts are participating in this trade union action. (Newswire)

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Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa has requested Sri Lankan doctors who left for the United Kingdom to consider returning to Sri Lanka, highlighting the shortage of specialist doctors in the country. 

Minister Jayatissa revealed in a statement on social media that he had made the request during his recent official visit to the United Kingdom.

The Health Minister said he attended a meeting organized by the Sri Lankan High Commission with Sri Lankan doctors living in the UK, during which he made the request. 

“At this discussion, I made a special request to our specialist doctors who have left the country for various reasons, to consider returning to Sri Lanka. There is currently a shortage of specialist doctors in our health service,” he said. 

Minister Nalinda Jayatissa further said that he had assured them that if they return to work in Sri Lanka, they will be reinstated in the same positions with all their previous service benefits. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka Police has called for applications from qualified medical professionals in both the public service and the private sector to fill 25 vacancies in the Police Medical Service Division.

According to the Police, the applications have been opened, as announced in the Government Gazette No. 2456 dated 26th September 2025.

Accordingly, applications are called for the following positions: 

• Consultant Surgeon – 01 Post 
• Consultant Physician – 01 Post 
• Consultant Radiologist – 01 Post 
• Consultant Clinical Nutritionist – 01 Post 
• Consultant Anaesthesiologist – 01 Post 
• Medical Officers – 16 Posts 
• Dentists – 04 Posts

Qualified and interested applicants are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date of 27th October 2025.

Applicants are urged to contact 011-2552953 for further inquiries. (Newswire)

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The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has requested urgent intervention from the Ministry of Health to issue clear guidelines on prescribing medications and consumables that are unavailable in government hospitals.

In a letter addressed to Health Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe, the GMOA raised concerns over recent allegations against doctors who issue outside prescriptions for essential drugs and items that are out of stock, particularly during critical patient situations.

The GMOA noted that in the absence of proper guidance, doctors acting in good faith are at risk of disciplinary inquiries or legal action. 

The union emphasized the need for immediate instructions to protect medical professionals and ensure the continued delivery of patient care. (Newswire)

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“Patients often come to me frustrated about unavailable beds, high costs of tests and medications, billing disputes, cleaning issues, and malfunctioning air conditioning. Many assume I have control over these matters, but in reality, these are hospital-level decisions,” says nephrologist Dr. Najia Hameed.

In a society like Pakistan’s, doctors hold a revered place and are seen as prestigious figures, often regarded as miracle workers. However, when things go wrong — whether due to excessive fees, lack of available beds, poor services, or administrative negligence — this respect quickly turns to resentment. Many times, doctors become the target of public frustration, even though the root causes often lie in systemic issues within hospital administration rather than the actions of individual medical practitioners.

In Pakistan, the public perception of doctors is shaped by a culture of both admiration and blame. This duality often creates confusion about the doctor’s role and responsibilities. In many communities, especially among the lower-middle and middle classes, people believe that doctors oversee and manage not only patient care but also hospital staffing and maintenance.

Low levels of healthcare literacy further amplify the misunderstanding. According to the research Assessment of Health Literacy in the Adult Population of Karachi, only 3.5% of the population possesses adequate healthcare literacy, while 82.6% have limited healthcare literacy. Additionally, a survey conducted by the Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) found that over 65% of patients did not understand the difference between clinical responsibilities and administrative duties. When a hospital fails to meet expectations, patients often direct their frustration toward the doctor — who is their immediate point of contact — making them the easiest target for blame.

Misplaced blame

“Doctors are expected to answer for everything, even changing the sheets, which is actually the staff’s responsibility. Yet, we end up having to address it as well,” says a house officer at a government hospital. “Patients shout at us, accusing us of giving them beds with infected sheets, and when we ask the staff to change them, we’re told that the sheets are out of stock,” the house officer adds.

“If there’s an issue with hygiene or a shortage of bed sheets, we’re always the ones who are blamed, and patients or their families end up taking us to court,” says Dua Azhar.

Maintaining hygiene and cleanliness in hospitals falls under the administration’s responsibilities. However, the staff often taunts doctors in a light-hearted manner, saying, “You don’t even keep the hospital clean.” Azhar shares, “We’ve gotten used to these light-hearted taunts, and they don’t bother us anymore.”

The administration is also responsible for ensuring that lab tests are available in the hospital’s laboratory. “There are many tests that are unavailable in the hospital’s lab but are critical for patient treatment. When we ask patients to go to an outside lab, they get frustrated with the doctor,” says Azhar.

When it comes to the shortage of beds, especially in government hospitals, it’s an ongoing issue. “In emergencies, this challenge comes up daily. We are doctors, and our primary responsibility is to take care of patients, diagnose, and treat them. However, we are expected to manage everything, from arranging beds to changing their sheets. And somehow, we end up doing it,” sighs Azhar.

“Attendants often misbehave and use foul language, but it has become internalised. We’ve gotten used to it,” says Azhar.

“One thing I’ve observed is the lack of unity among the staff. They don’t even provide us with proper equipment and medications. Whenever we ask for something at night, they always tell us, ‘Come back in the morning,’ or that there’s a shortage of supplies.”

Suffering inefficiencies

“Around six or seven years ago, I was admitted to a private hospital after getting burned. I was shouting in pain, but no one was there to help. The doctor on duty kept saying another doctor would come and examine me,” sighs Ansaar Mahar, a student at Hamdard University. “When I went for follow-up bandages, the staff handled my injury so roughly. They were always in a rush, saying they had to look after other patients as well,” Mahar adds.

It is the responsibility of the hospital’s administration to set and regulate fees. “I was in a private hospital in Sukkur with my teammate. We were there for a performance when suddenly my teammate developed a high fever. We took her to the hospital, and the first aid was fine, but they charged us excessive fees,” says Mahar. “On top of that, they prescribed medicines that were only available at their own pharmacy, insisting we buy them from there, even though they were really expensive.”

This situation is not isolated. Many people complain about overpriced medicines and often mention that a particular medicine is unavailable at local pharmacies, yet it mysteriously appears in the hospital’s own pharmacy. This occurs because most people don’t know the alternatives to specific medications. If people were more educated about their options, they wouldn’t have to suffer or pay extra for medicines.

Unfortunately, the administrative sector in many Pakistani hospitals is plagued by inefficiency, corruption, and lack of accountability. Patients often mistakenly associate high medical costs with the doctors themselves. However, in the private sector, billing structures are determined by administrative policies, not by the doctors who provide care. Despite this, it is the doctor who bears the brunt of the anger when a patient is charged an unaffordable sum.

A system in crisis

Public hospitals in Pakistan are plagued by a chronic shortage of beds due to underfunding and overcrowding. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends a doctor-to-bed ratio of 1:1, but many hospitals in Pakistan fail to meet this standard. When patients are unable to secure a bed, it’s often the doctor who bears the brunt of the blame, even though the real issue lies with hospital management and resource allocation.

“We face this all the time — dealing with a shortage of beds and facing misbehavior from patients and attendees because of it,” says Dr. Mohsin Shah, a resident in orthopedic surgery. He recalls an incident that occurred due to a lack of available beds: “Once we ran out of beds and asked patients to wait for a while. They lost their temper and even verbally and physically abused the doctor.”

Staff and facility issues are also prevalent. “Even the staff shows us attitude,” complained a house officer. In public hospitals, staff is often poorly trained, and due to mismanagement and a shortage of personnel, they become overburdened and frustrated. Incidents of misbehavior by hospital staff or the unavailability of critical facilities like labs or diagnostic centers are clear administrative failures. “Yet, doctors are seen as representatives of the system and become victims of attendees’ frustration,” adds Azhar.

High treatment costs and skyrocketing bills are among the core issues faced by patients. However, instead of addressing these concerns with hospital administration, patients often direct their frustration toward doctors.

“Patients and their families sometimes assume that I decide the charges, and I can see their frustration,” says Dr. Hameed. “They start begging, and I try to explain, as gently as possible, that the fees are set by the hospital, not by the doctors. If needed, I direct them to the billing department so they can get proper assistance.”

Another tactic employed by some hospital administrations is gaslighting patients. When complaints arise, administrators may downplay the legitimacy of patient concerns or suggest that the issue was a result of the patient’s misunderstanding. This redirection of blame confuses patients and reinforces the misconception that doctors are at fault.

In some cases, patients are told that doctors are “busy” or “not performing well” to cover up administrative shortcomings, such as scheduling errors or a lack of staff. This not only deflects attention from the real problems but also damages the trust between doctors and patients, leading to a breakdown in communication and the quality of care.

Clarifying responsibilities

To clear up the confusion, it is essential to highlight the responsibilities and roles of hospital administration. Hospital administrators are responsible for the logistical, financial, and operational functions of healthcare facilities. This includes setting and regulating fees (in private sectors), hiring and managing staff, maintaining hospital infrastructure, allocating resources such as beds and medical equipment, and implementing patient care policies.

One of the more insidious outcomes of administrative failures is the exploitation of doctors. Many young physicians work under grueling conditions with limited resources. A report by the Young Doctors Association (YDA) found that 80% of junior doctors in public hospitals work shifts exceeding 12 hours, often without adequate support staff or functioning equipment. When issues arise, hospital management often deflects blame onto doctors to avoid scrutiny.

For example, in cases of delayed surgeries or misdiagnoses caused by faulty equipment, it is easier for administrators to accuse a doctor of negligence than to address the underlying systemic failures. This not only demoralises doctors but also creates an environment where they are constantly on the defensive.

The path forward

To address these issues, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. Educating the public about the distinct roles of doctors and hospital administrators is key to mitigating misplaced blame. Health literacy programs should be introduced in schools and communities to explain how hospitals operate and clarify the responsibilities of various healthcare workers.

It is also crucial to implement stricter oversight and accountability mechanisms for hospital administrations. This includes transparent billing, proper allocation of resources, and regular audits to curb corruption and inefficiencies. Strengthening these mechanisms will ensure that administrative failures are identified and addressed promptly, rather than being deflected onto doctors.

Ensuring that doctors have the necessary resources, support staff, and infrastructure to perform their duties is vital. This can help prevent situations where doctors are unfairly blamed for systemic shortcomings. Additionally, protecting doctors from administrative scapegoating through legal and professional safeguards is essential to preserve their ability to provide quality care without fear of unjust reprisal.

Establishing independent patient advocacy groups is another important step. These groups can assist patients in navigating the healthcare system and lodging complaints appropriately. They can also hold hospital administrations accountable for systemic failures, ensuring that patient concerns are addressed properly.

The healthcare crisis in Pakistan is complex, and while doctors are often the face of the system, they are not always the source of its failures. Mismanagement, corruption, and inefficiency within hospital administrations contribute significantly to patient dissatisfaction. By shifting the focus from blaming doctors to holding administrations accountable, we can pave the way for a more equitable and effective healthcare system. Only through awareness, education, and systemic reform can we ensure that patients receive the care they deserve and doctors receive the respect they have earned. It’s time to recognise who is really responsible and demand accountability where it truly belongs.

 Syeda Maleeha Kiran is a freelance journalist and mass communications student

All facts and information are the sole responsibility of the author (Tribune)

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Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry is to conduct an immediate investigation at the provincial and district level to seek out unregistered doctors and medical centres operating across the country. 

It is reported that the ministry has taken this decision based on several complaints received regarding fake doctors and illegal medical centres in the nation.

Sri Lanka requires all doctors to register with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), while private medical institutions are required to be registered at the provincial level. 

On the directive of the Health Ministry, provincial and district-level authorities have been ordered to initiate an immediate investigation into the matter.

They have also been instructed to initiate strict legal action against all unregistered doctors and unregistered private medical institutions in the country.

The Health Ministry has also requested the public to provide information on unqualified doctors and unregistered medical centres. (NewsWire)

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The shortage of doctors in Sri Lanka’s Health Sector will be resolved in the future, as several doctors who left the country are now returning, the Health Ministry claimed.

Speaking to the media, Deputy Director General (Medical Services) Dr. G. Wijesuriya said Sri Lanka recently reported a shortage of doctors after several doctors, including specialist doctors, and nurses had left the country.

The healthcare workers had left the nation due to difficulties faced as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic and the economic crisis that soon followed in the nation.

However, it has been observed that several doctors, including specialist doctors, were now returning to Sri Lanka, he said.

Stating that there was a drop in healthcare workers leaving the country, Dr. Wijesuriya said that instead, several doctors were cancelling their leaves and returning to Sri Lanka. 

He further revealed that with doctors returning to Sri Lanka, the Health Ministry has been able to appoint specialist doctors to required hospitals. 

Dr. Wijesuriya expressed hope that with the return of the healthcare workers, the shortage of doctors in Sri Lanka will be resolved soon. (NewsWire)

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The government has taken a decision to recall retired doctors and specialists for service, Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella said.

According to media reports, Minister Rambukwella stated that the decision has been taken to address the shortage of doctors and specialists in the country.

The Health Minister further stated that the recalled retired doctors and specialists will be included into the health sector on a contract basis. 

He added that steps are being taken to present a proposal in this regard to the Cabinet of Ministers. 

The move comes as Sri Lanka’s health sector has seen a shortage of doctors and specialists due to many leaving the country as a result of the economic crisis. 

Several hospitals in the country have been sincerely impacted due to the doctors, especially specialists leaving the country. (NewsWire)

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Doctors have recommended the public drink as much water as possible due to the prevailing dry weather conditions in the country.

They further urged to reduce exposure to sunlight during the afternoon as much as possible as well.

Workers at outdoor work sites have been recommended to take regular breaks in shaded areas every half hour.

Doctors have also advised that children be prevented from engaging in sporting activities during the afternoon. (NewsWire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has proposed that the matter of Sri Lankan doctors being recruited by foreign nations be raised at the next World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting.

Speaking at a meeting held with the Ministry of Health, the President also proposed that compensation be sought from foreign nations for the recruitment of Sri Lankan doctors. 

The President pointed out that doctors in countries like the United Kingdom (UK) are leaving, forcing those countries to recruit doctors from Sri Lanka.

He further noted that some other foreign nations are also recruiting Sri Lankan doctors in a similar manner which should be raised with the WHO.

“It’s like loss and damage we have in climate change. Your people are leaving, that’s not our fault. Either change your system and pay your doctors or compensate us for that,” the President said.

The President proposed that Sri Lankan doctors could be recruited in exchange for funding of various faculties, including medicine and engineering, in order for Sri Lanka to train more eligible persons. 

During the meeting, the President also directed the formulation of a new Medical Act within six months with the aim of addressing shortcomings in the present Medical Ordinance and thereby providing better healthcare and protecting citizens’ well-being. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), a high-level Committee, consisting of the Secretary of Health, Legal Draftsman, and President of the SLMC, was assigned to examine the provisions of the Medical Ordinance and formulate a new Medical Act with appropriate provisions.

To address immediate medical needs, an additional allocation of Rs. 30 billion was approved for medical supplies under the Provision to Ministry of Health, sufficient for the next three months.

Efforts to improve medicine distribution and inventory management were also discussed, with the President emphasizing the need for a web-based system to provide real-time information on available medicines and their distribution among hospitals with immediate effect as discussed during the meeting two weeks ago.

A five-member committee led by A. K. Seneviratne, Deputy Secretary to the Treasury was appointed to, among other tasks; devise a simple and transparent scheme for the procurement of quality drugs and medical devices. (NewsWire)

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