The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has raised alarm over a deepening crisis in Sri Lanka’s health sector, warning that more than 2,500 specialists and doctors have already left the country due to ongoing economic and political instability.
GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa said the outflow of medical professionals has shown no signs of slowing down, creating severe challenges in maintaining hospital services and providing adequate care to the public.
He explained that although the GMOA had submitted proposals to the Ministry of Health to introduce a programme aimed at retaining doctors by ensuring economic justice, fairness, and a conducive professional environment, no permanent mechanism has yet been implemented.
Dr. Sugathadasa criticized the Ministry’s “short-sighted and inefficient policies,” stating that they have only accelerated the departure of doctors.
“While the government and the Health Minister publicly claim that protecting doctors is a priority, the Ministry’s actions are pushing them away rather than retaining them,” he said.
The GMOA emphasized that the Ministry of Health must take responsibility for creating a secure professional environment for doctors still serving in the state sector, while also ensuring legal protection for their service-related duties.
