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.”
