A special discussion was held in Parliament between the Minister of Education, PM Harini Amarasuriya and representatives of the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) on the problems and difficulties that arise when admitting the children of transferred doctors into schools.

During the meeting on Thursday (19), attended by Health Minister Nalinda Jayatissa, the specialists informed the PM Amarasuriya about the practical difficulties faced when admitting their children to schools under the procedures implemented by the Ministry of Health and Mass Media for doctors’ transfers.

According to a Health Ministry statement, both sides exchanged views at length on the need for better coordination between the health and education sectors to resolve these issues systematically.

It was also discussed that the Ministry of Education should take necessary steps to review the existing process and work closely with the Ministry of Health to ensure a more practical and efficient system.

The Ministry of Health has already launched a special program to resolve issues faced when admitting the children of government doctors to schools. 

The ministry states that the main aim of this program is to minimize delays and obstacles caused by transfers and other administrative reasons. (Newswire)

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The Association of Medical Specialists has decided to launch a trade union action tomorrow, over the suspension of the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance for doctors.

Issuing a statement, the Association announced that it will resort to an All Island Trade Union action commencing from 8.00 am tomorrow. 

The move comes after the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) earlier today announced it will engage in a trade union action against the suspension of the DAT allowance for doctors. 

The GMOA alleged that despite cabinet approval being granted to increase the DAT allowance for doctors by Rs. 35,000 and including it in the January salary, some officials from the Finance Ministry were attempting to suspend it. 

The full statement of the Association of Medical Specialists; 

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The only Pediatric Radiology Specialist in Sri Lanka has reportedly left the country, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) stated.

According to Mawbima, the Association has revealed that several specialist doctors have migrated from Sri Lanka as of now.

Chairman of the Association, Dr. Ashoka Gunaratne stated that Specialist doctors such as Line Cardiologists, Pediatric Neurologists, Pediatric Cardiologists, Emergency Physicians, and Pediatric Psychiatrists are among those who have left the country.

Dr. Gunaratne further stated that it has been estimated that Sri Lanka will face a requirement of nearly 4000 specialist doctors between 2024-2025, while at present there are only 2000 specialist doctors in the country.

Stating that nearly thirty doctors had been trained for emergency services, Dr. Gunaratne revealed that 20 doctors from the group have already migrated.

Dr. Ashoka Gunaratne stated that even though it is estimated that 289 Anesthesiologists will be required between 2024-2025, there are only 155 Anesthesiologists in the country at present.

He added that it is expected that only around 100 Anesthesiologists will remain in Sri Lanka by next year. (NewsWire)

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The Health Ministry has decided to extend the service period of specialist doctors in public service up to the age of 63 years, the Court of Appeal was informed yesterday (27).

The Attorney General, represented by the Additional Solicitor General Nerin Pulle, informed the Court of Appeal of the Ministry’s decision.

The decision was informed when the writ petitions filed against the Cabinet decision to reduce the retirement age of specialist doctors to 60 years were taken up for hearing.

The petition filed by 176 doctors was taken up for hearing before the Court of Appeal President Justice Nishshanka Bandula Karunaratne and Justice M.A.R.Marikkar.

During the hearing, the Additional Solicitor General informed the court that the Cabinet will take a decision on the matter soon.

He added that arrangements will also be made to make presentations on the matter to the court through a motion by June 30. (NewsWire)

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