'Ill qualified foreign docs, threat to patients'
Nadira GUNATILLEKE
The Health Ministry has warned the public against seeking medical
treatment, especially cardiothoracic surgeries, from unqualified foreign
doctors serving in certain private hospitals in Sri Lanka.
The ministry has received complaints from several patients whose
lives were put in danger by these doctors, a Health Ministry spokesman
said.
According to the Ministry spokesman, such doctors do not have any
qualifications, knowledge or experience to conduct cardiothoracic
surgeries.
Following such surgeries there had been instances where the patients
have been sent to the Colombo National Hospital with severe
complications. Some patients had sold their homes and all properties to
pay the hospital bill, the spokesman added.
Health Ministry Secretary Dr Ravindra Ruberu appointed a special
committee yesterday to look into the matter and submit a report within
two weeks. The committee is chaired by Health Service Director General
Dr Ajith Mendis.
The committee was appointed after the Government Medical Officers'
Association (GMOA) pointed out the grave danger faced by patients who
obtain treatment from these foreign doctors.
|