Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said that 82 specialist doctors have been issued notices over the past five years for abandoning government service.
Speaking in Parliament in response to a question raised by MP Nishantha Samaraweera, the minister said most of these doctors had left for overseas training and failed to return.
He added that seven doctors officially resigned during this period, while 57 specialists were formally released to work in other sectors. 191 doctors have obtained no-pay leave, while 233 have specialists retired.
Minister Jayatissa revealed that government hospitals currently face a shortage of 1,139 across 134 hospitals.
Specialist doctors, with 2,042 specialists are presently in service the Minister said.
He noted a recent improvement in the return rate of specialists who travel abroad, stating that while previously only about 40% returned, this figure has now increased to 65%.
Efforts are underway to expand the cadre of specialist doctors, Jayatissa said, noting that producing specialists is not a process that can be rushed. (Newswire)
The post Sri Lanka faces a shortage of 1,139 specialist doctors : Minister appeared first on Newswire.
