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‘Minimum Standards of Medical Education’ gazette further delayed
View(s):Despite the recent statement by Health Minister Dr Rajitha Senarathne, that the ‘Minimum Standards of Medical Education’ will be gazetted within two weeks, it is set to be further delayed.
Dr Senarathne told the Sunday Times that the Attorney General’s (AG) Dept pointed out certain flaws in the original draft which are being rectified at the moment.
The Minister said there was a meeting held on Thursday (10) with the participation of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC), the AG and Health Ministry officials, to discuss the gazette.
Health Ministry Secretary Janaka Sugathadasa told the Sunday Times that the gazetting will have to go through a set process after the AG’s Dept found certain provisions in the original draft, not consistent with the Medical Ordinance and the University Grants Commission Act.
According to Mr Sugathadasa, the AG’s Dept has requested the Legal Draftsman to revisit the draft and focus on the necessary amendments. After which the new version of the draft will be sent to the AG’s Dept and, if there aren’t any further amendments, it will be presented to Parliament for gazetting.
“This will have to go through a whole process which is going to take sometime and hence, a specific date cannot be set in this instance,” he said.
AG Jayantha Jayasuriya told the Sunday Times that the ‘Minimum Standards of Medical Education’ gazette was observed when it was received and sent to the relevant Ministry on July 31.
He said his Dept has not received any feedback regarding the concerns over the observations.
The Govt Medical Officers Association Assistant Secretary Dr Naveen De Soysa said they have not been informed of the gazette, as a final decision has not been taken by the Health Minister.
“During every discussion held, the Minister keeps assuring of gazetting the ‘Minimum Standards’ within two weeks. The said date has long passed and we are still waiting for a specific date to be announced by the Health Minister,” he said.
Meanwhile, Medical students of eight Faculties continue to boycott lectures, demanding a solution to the SAITM issue.