Sri Lanka faces severe specialist shortage as 25 leave health service each year

Thursday, 13 November 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s hospitals are under mounting pressure due to an exodus of medical specialists, with about 25 leaving the country annually, according to Medical and Civil rights Doctors’ Trade Union Alliance Chairman Dr. Chamal Sanjeewa.

A report compiled by the Occupational Health Services Director Dr. Priyantha Atapattu, using data obtained through the Right to Information Act, shows that 24 specialists exited the public health service between April 2024 and April 2025.

The findings reveal that the health sector requires 3,181 specialists to function effectively, yet only 2,042 remain in service, leaving a gap of more than 1,100. Shortages are acute in several key areas, including around 200 anaesthesiologists, 150 physiotherapists, 100 surgeons, 100 obstetricians and gynaecologists, and close to 100 paediatricians. Forensic medicine is also affected, with only 41 specialists working out of the 64 needed. Similarly, only 47 orthopaedic surgeons are available out of the required 100.

Dr. Sanjeewa cautioned that these shortages are already disrupting hospital operations and affecting patient care nationwide. He called on the Health Ministry and the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine to introduce sustainable measures to expand specialist training and retain medical professionals in the system.

“This is more than a manpower issue; it poses a serious risk to the country’s entire healthcare framework,” he warned.