The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has issued a concerning statement regarding the presence of over 40,000 fake doctors providing patient care services throughout the country. Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe, the media spokesperson of the association, revealed that while the nation harbors more than 40,000 rogue doctors, the Ministry of Health employs only 20,000 rank-and-file doctors and 2,600 specialist doctors.
This revelation comes after separate investigations conducted by both the Ministry of Health and the Government Medical Officers’ Association. Dr. Wijesinghe emphasized that the identification of this group underscores the urgent need for regulatory measures to ensure the legitimacy of medical practitioners.
Legally, only those who have successfully completed their medical degrees and have been registered with the Sri Lanka Medical Council are authorized to practice medicine in the country. Dr. Wijesinghe also highlighted a concerning trend: the escalating number of doctors leaving the nation due to economic difficulties. This exodus raises the alarming possibility of a surge in rogue doctors without proper medical education.
Dr. Wijesinghe further noted that these rogue practitioners are involved in various fields such as Western, Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, and Dental practices. An additional concern arises from the fact that the general public lacks effective means to distinguish fake doctors from legitimate ones, leaving them vulnerable to receiving medical treatment from unqualified sources.
One of the most troubling aspects of this issue is the absence of recourse for patients who experience complications resulting from treatment by these fake doctors. Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe cautioned that due to the lack of a proper institution to address such complaints, patients are left with no viable options if they suffer harm from medical malpractice perpetrated by rogue doctors.
