Hospital sources report that the operations of Jayawardenepura Hospital have fallen into disarray due to the questionable appointment of its Chairman as the resident Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist at Castle Street Women’s Hospital. This appointment, which bypassed the standard annual transfer procedure, was made despite objections from the Government Medical Officers’ Association and the Specialist Doctors’ Association.
The Chairman, who works at Castle Street Women’s Hospital from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., only arrives at Jayewardenepura Hospital after 4 p.m. to fulfill his duties. This has caused significant disruption and placed the hospital in a critical situation.
Reports indicate that anyone needing to meet the Chairman for official purposes must wait until after 4 p.m., causing considerable inconvenience for those attempting to carry out their responsibilities.
Although the Director of Angoda Hospital visits Jayewardenepura Hospital during the day to supervise the Chairman’s work as the Deputy Director, these efforts have reportedly been ineffective.
It has also been revealed that the Public Service Commission has not approved the Chairman’s transfer from Elpitiya Hospital to either Jayewardenepura or Castle Street Women’s Hospital. Recent inquiries by the Public Service Commission directed at the Ministry of Health failed to provide a clear and detailed explanation for the appointment, as previously disclosed by media reports.
Speculation suggests that the Chairman was attached to Castle Street Women’s Hospital to enable him to engage in private medical services. However, he has been unable to fulfill this role effectively, further complicating the situation.
