What’s Wrong With SAITM

By Dhammika Herath –January 20, 2016

Dr. Dhammika Herath

The debate about South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) appears to be heating up, at least at this late hour, with all the stakeholders throwing in their two cents worth. While I do not have any vested interests, except the interest of being a person who benefited from “free education”, let me throw in my two cents.

The Paradox of Opinions

As a preamble to my viewpoint on SAITM, let’s examine some of the arguments put forward by different factions who clearly have their own agendas.

1. The process of admission to SAITM is flawed, students who do not qualify for a basic degree in sciences study Medicine at SAITM. This argument has some validity and credibility, and it will hold ground until all the information is available to all concerned parties.
2. SAITM is a private institution, medical education should not be privatised. This is a recurrent theme, but unrealistic to say the least. While education is not a commodity, whether we like it not, it’s a commodity in a market economy, where everything has a price, including justice. This argument does not hold much ground in its pure sense. But I will explore further some of the questions related to this issue of private institutions.
3. Training at SAITM is sub-par, and was not recognised by the Sri Lanka Medical Council. This is a valid argument, and SLMC has a list of recognised medical colleges as listed and recognised by WHO. There are several medical colleges in the world which are not recognised by WHO or any other country. Interested readers can simply Google or refer to the WHO website as this is public information. Some years ago, the SLMC, after examining the SAITM gave its verdict; SAITM does not qualify to be recognised as an institution since its standards do not meet required criteria. This was open information to everyone who followed this saga closely.
4. SAITM or local private medical schools save valuable foreign exchange. This is the most ludicrous argument for SAITM and we do not need to look far to realise how ridiculous this idea is. SAITM will not prevent students who aspire to become doctors travelling abroad, and getting their medical degrees from for-profit institutions, the quality of which are highly questionable. If we look at the foreign exchange that Sri Lanka lost for some famous deals, like MIG deal, Hedging Deal, Prado deal, these are fine examples of how we lose foreign exchange. Further discussion in this area is not really useful or meaningful in Sri Lanka.
5. SAITM students and students who can afford it have a right to education, including medical education. This argument has apparent validity, at least on face value. We can talk about this right once we are absolutely free, but not in a modern, highly regularised age. Education is based on merits and needs of the country, not on individual aspirations. Definitely not because you can afford it.

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