CGPSL supports private sector medical education development

The College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka (CGPSL) supports the development of the private sector medical education in the country. The CGPSL has played and will continue to play a pivotal role in private sector medical education in Sri Lanka, a release said.

'The North Colombo Medical College (NCMC) was created by the CGPSL and the college handed back infrastructure for teaching and training including a new library, several large buildings, a professional wing and hospital that had been vastly improved when the NCMC was vested in the government.

"The CGPSL has not received a cent in compensation to date. The College is proud of the 800 odd high calibre NCMC alumni who are looking after the health of the people and those abroad, the release added.

The release: "Taking on board the lessons that history taught us, the CGPSL now has a clear policy on private sector medical education in Sri Lanka. Our policy is that we support private medical education that is socially responsible, socially accountable and regulated by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

"Social responsibility will include developments in the private sector wherein great care is taken to prevent any harm to the free state sector higher education institutions. It would also include the development of hospital facilities which are made available free of charge to citizens of the country and the provision of scholarships for qualified under privileged students.

"Social accountability would include issues of relevance, equity, quality and safety of training and research with regard to the community in which the private sector facility is situated.

"The role of the Sri Lanka Medical Council is the key in this exercise. The SLMC is the statutory body which is vital for the maintaining of good professional standards and safety of our people. The College of General Practitioners of Sri Lanka appeals to those intending to set up private medical educational institutions in the country to pay heed to the recommendations and the guidance of the Sri Lanka Medical Council in these matters."