The Hon. (Dr.) Janaka Senarathna

¶ 01 Hon. Presiding Member, on this day when we discussed at the Committee Stage the expenditure heads of the Health and Mass Media Ministry, the Adjournment Motion moved by Hon. (Dr.) Ramanathan Archchuna is very timely and important, and we, as the Government, accept it.

¶ 02 A large number of our specialist doctors left the country for overseas training particularly after the economic crisis, and many have tended not to return in recent years. Therefore, we need to fill that gap. Generally, after many years in a field, a doctor, though not to the level of a specialist, acquires relative proficiency to render significant service. For example, I too worked continuously for 14 years in surgical units. Doctors provide that service without any special incentive. Therefore, if we can establish an intermediate cadre, a mid-level post, it will help us address service deficiencies especially outside Colombo. Many doctors who work 10, 15, or 20 years in one field become fatigued due to workload and, since there is no benefit, move to easier posts and do not return to their former fields, resulting in a loss of experience to the country.

¶ 03 The Ministry of Health had already focused on the concept of an intermediate cadre even before this proposal came. However, there are certain complexities. One is how specialist doctors will accept it—we need to discuss with them. There are also legal aspects: how to handle complications if they arise. So this is not simple. We must proceed with approvals from the relevant academic bodies and institutions. Therefore, this is not something the Ministry can implement by merely taking a decision; it is a technical matter.

¶ 04 We have already begun discussions on the technical aspects. I also appreciate Hon. Archchuna’s proposal. Regarding postgraduate trainees, we know they face significant economic difficulties, as they are transferred every three or six months, sometimes from district to district, and must find accommodation repeatedly, causing hardship. Therefore, we are considering providing some relief to postgraduate trainees; this is something we can address within the Ministry promptly.

¶ 05 Thank you.