PARLIAMENT

Hon. (Dr.) Nishantha Samaraweera,—To ask the Minister of Health and Mass           Media,— (1)

(a) Will he accept that—

(i) specialist doctors, doctors and other trained health professionals have left the country because of the economic crisis that existed in Sri Lanka; and

(ii) it has caused an adverse effect on the health service in Sri Lanka?

(b) Will he inform this House separately of the numbers of specialist doctors, doctors, nursing officers, supplementary and paramedical service officers and junior staff —

(i) who are currently serving in the health service of Sri Lanka;

(ii) who are necessary for ensuring a proper public health service in the future;

(iii) who have left the service before reaching the age of retirement from the year 2022 to November 2024; and

(iv) who are currently undergoing training in various academic institutions including specialist training?

(c) Will he also inform this House of the steps that will be taken to recruit them into the health service expeditiously?

(d) If not, why?