Criminal for political leaders to interfere

DR.Vickramabahu Karunaratne-2016-08-04

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) has vowed to abstain from teaching medical students of unapproved medical colleges such as the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in Malabe, if they come to State hospitals for clinical training. Pledging their support for the ongoing struggle the undergraduates of the State Medical Faculties demanding the abolition of SAITM, the GMOA said it would in no way help medical students who have not been approved by the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).

GMOA media spokesman Dr. Navin de Soysa explained that the government must resolve the concerns of the medical students who have taken to the streets for the second time since the 1988-1989 insurrection. "We warn the government. This could turn violent just like 88-89 uprising where thousands of students fought against the then government. These students are best result holders countrywide. We should not allow them to waste their valuable time on such issues which should be addressed by the authorities," Dr. de Soysa has said.

In the meantime Chairman SAITM, Dr. Neville Fernando, admitted that not only Minister Senaratne's daughter-in-law, but also the daughters and daughters-in-law of other ministers in the current government are also studying at the SAITM. Even though there is heavy criticism of the educational qualifications of those who study at the SAITM, Dr.

Fernando said that they had students with better grades -- 'A' levels with 3 'A's who were unable to enter State universities because of the district quota system. He said that State university students must give up their superiority complex, because education is a fundamental right for all students, whether State or non-State. However, he was unable to explain the poor standard of his medical faculty and why they demand support from State sector hospitals.

Investing for profit

"I built the Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital and equipped it with all the modern hi-tech equipment. This includes 6 surgical theatres, with one having a camera in the light and which could be focused on the site of the surgery and the picture telecast to the lecture hall where the students are seated. The 1,000 bed hospital was constructed at an investment of Rs 2,000 million for the use of students," Dr. Fernando said. Clearly he was investing for profit, and then he should make it viable by improving the standard of the institute. He should not pass the burden to the State sector.

Hence it was correct for the GMOA to file a complaint with the Bribery and Corruption Commission against the Health Ministry for allowing students of SAITM to undergo clinical training at government hospitals. GMOA took the stand that the Secretary to the Health Ministry has caused a misuse of public property by allowing a private institution and its students who are not qualified to study as medical students to involve in operations in a State hospital. It is an illegal act which could cause a serious loss to the State whilst giving SAITM which is a private organization an unlawful and unjust gain out of public resources.

SLMC has reportedly refused to register the first batch of 30 medical students, who had passed out from the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine. Apparently these students cannot gain even provisional registration. GMOA says that provisional registration could only be granted to the students who have passed out from a recognized university or institution under Section 19C of the Medical Ordinance. As the SAITM's medical degree did not meet the prescribed standards as said by the Sri Lanka Medical Council, students who pass out from the SAITM could not practise as doctors in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka Medical Council Chairman Carlo Fonseka said he would resign if those who pass out from SAITM were given provisional registration to practise as doctors in Sri Lanka. He said this during a meeting held with the Government Medical Officers Association at the SLMC office recently. GMOA Treasurer Nalinda Herath told a media briefing that Prof. Fonseka told them that the SLMC stance on the SAITM controversy remains unchanged despite any political interference. It is criminal for political leaders to interfere with the work of professional councils and academic bodies. It will be hilarious if the Yahapalana Government goes back to the era where by royal order mathematical formulae were changed!