Doctors warn Health Minister against harassment

by Don Asoka Wijewardena
The Government Medical Officers Association has warned the Minister of Health and the Director in-charge of Private Sector Hospitals Dr. Harsha de Silva to stop harassing MBBS doctors practicing in private hospital since they are already registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC). The harassment, according to GMOA sources, was for failure to get registered under the Private Medical Institutions Act which is absolutely not necessary since they are already registered with the SLMC.

The GMOA brought the harassment of MBBS doctors to President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s notice. The President instructed Health Ministry Secretary Dr. Athula Kahandaliyanage to stop raids on MBBS qualified doctors since they have been already registered with the SLMC.

A senior member of the GMOA Dr. Upul Gunasekera, commenting on a recent statement by Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva, that he would continue to nab quacks practicing in private hospitals, described it as a senseless statement since all doctors practising at recognized private health institutions possess registered medical degrees.

At the meeting the GMOA had with President Rajapaksa it was pointed out that the Private Meedical Institution Act violates a number of medico and medico legal procedures and it was not necessary for MBBS doctors registered with the SLMC to register again under the Private Medical Institution Act.

The GMOA finally warned of severe trade union action if raids on qualified MBBS doctors continue.