Huge demand for Lankan doctors abroad
Nadira Gunatilleke
Over 10,000 Sri Lankan doctors are serving in foreign countries.
There is a huge demand for Sri Lankan doctors in foreign countries
because they are highly qualified professionals, Health Minister
Maithripala Sirisena said.
According to Minister Sirisena, Sri Lanka needs additional 15,000
doctors and 24,000 nurses to provide a better health care service to the
public.
The Health Ministry has commenced a special programme to recruit
doctors to the health staff.
Minister Sirisena said arrangements will be made soon to provide
facilities for doctors and other health staff to keep them in Sri Lanka.
“There is no use imposing rules and regulations to retain them in Sri
Lanka because migrating for employment is their democratic right. There
is a large market for educated and highly qualified professionals
abroad. If local professionals wish to migrate for employment, it cannot
be stopped by force,” he said. The minister said a large number of
Lankan doctors go abroad every week for higher education and specialised
training. |