'Ill qualified foreign docs, threat to patients'

The Health Ministry has warned the public against seeking medical treatment, especially cardiothoracic surgeries, from unqualified foreign doctors serving in certain private hospitals in Sri Lanka.

The ministry has received complaints from several patients whose lives were put in danger by these doctors, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

According to the Ministry spokesman, such doctors do not have any qualifications, knowledge or experience to conduct cardiothoracic surgeries.

Following such surgeries there had been instances where the patients have been sent to the Colombo National Hospital with severe complications. Some patients had sold their homes and all properties to pay the hospital bill, the spokesman added.

Health Ministry Secretary Dr Ravindra Ruberu appointed a special committee yesterday to look into the matter and submit a report within two weeks. The committee is chaired by Health Service Director General Dr Ajith Mendis.

The committee was appointed after the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) pointed out the grave danger faced by patients who obtain treatment from these foreign doctors.