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Why permanency only for some, ask affected post intern docs
View(s):About 250 post intern medical officers who have completed their internship appointments in December last year and March this year are still temporarily posted to hospitals in the North and East and remote hospitals island-wide, while most of their batch members have been given permanent appointment letters by the Public Services Commission (PSC).
The affected doctors have requested the Health Ministry Secretary Sudharma Karunaratne to consider their plight as 954 of their batchmates of a total of 1204 post interns have been permanently posted, while they have been left out.
They also complain that permanent appointments have also been given to those who have sat for a second time and have been successful, overlooking those who have been successful the first time.
“Most of the affected doctors have been working for about seven months without being made permanent. This will definitely affect their promotions, seniority as well as in selection for post graduate studies. We have several times appealed to the authorities,” said one of the temporary doctors presently attached to a hospital in a former conflict area.
He said the 954 post interns were given permanent appointment letters by the PSC, stating their appointment date as March 17, 2014.
“There was a delay due to a case filed by Rajarata University students, and the temporary posting too got delayed until the court case was over.
“We don’t mind working in the North, East or any other remote area, whether it’s in the hill country or in Moneragala as long as our appointments are made permanent. Even the Health Ministry letter (MA/MS/F/10/2013) of temporary attachment was sent to the directors of the respective hospitals. We have received no such letter,” he said.
He said the 250 medical officers comprise of local and foreign medical graduates.
Health Secretary Karunaratne told the Sunday Times that the Health Ministry will follow the procedure adopted by the Public Service Commission and once approval is received from the PSC, permanent appointments will be given.