Minister laments doctor shortage at Army Hospitals

Nadira Gunatilleke

COLOMBO: The number of doctors serving in Army Hospitals is not adequate, Health Care and Nutrition Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva said.

“Lankan doctors do not like to serve in Army Hospitals and as Sri Lankans we have to be ashamed of this. It is sad that the authorities are unable to provide adequate doctors for this essential service,” he said after donating three ambulances worth Rs. 120 million to the Sri Lanka Infantry. De Silva said there is a shortage of 20 doctors in all Army hospitals.

He said and only one doctor turned up when the vacancies were advertised in newspapers. The Minister said arrangements have been made to provide a quality health service to all war heroes under the `East Resurgence’ programme but the number of doctors serving in Army Hospitals were not adequate.

The Minister assured that the required number of doctors will be provided to all Army Hospitals soon. De Silva also donated a new x-ray machine to the Palaly Army Hospital.