Rs.100,000 awaits informants on missing specialists

Chaminda Perera

The Health Ministry is seeking public assistance to trace specialist doctors who have gone missing from rural hospitals.

According to Health Ministry sources any person providing information on a missing specialist will be granted Rs. 100,000 by the Ministry. The country's health sector is badly affected by the shortage of anesthetists, pathologists, psychiatrists, judicial medical officers and radiologists as they do not return to the county after their overseas training.

Most specialists posted to hospitals outside Colombo and suburbs are reported missing. The Health Ministry is unable to trace their whereabouts.

A specialist missing from the Jaffna General Hospital is reportedly employed in a South Indian hospital.

Meanwhile, Health Minister Nimal Siripala de Silva yesterday directed the committee formulating the National Drug Policy draft to forward their final proposals by July 26.

The Minister addressing the committee which was open to the media too said the public is asking why the Government has failed to implement a national drug policy.

The committee should forward two drafts if certain issues are remained unresolved. "The Committee should discuss whatever issues left unresolved on July 26 and come to a consensus.

"They can forward alternative proposals if certain issues are remained unresolved," the Minister said.

"The proposed draft is made known to the public and their viewpoints are also entertained for the final draft.

The proposed draft based on the National drug policy should address all issues related to the drug field.

He directed the committee member to come to a consensus on the next sitting or forward alternative proposals to be published in the media for public hearing. This draft proposal is also expected to be presented to the Parliamentary Advisory Council before Cabinet approval.

The committee chaired by Health Services Director General Dr. Ajith Mendis held over 20 meetings but failed to come to an agreement on certain issues.