This is due to mafia representatives as well as the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) not allowing these Hematologists to do their job without interventions.
These Hematologists have received specialised training on the subject at the cost of Rs. 6-7 million of government funding. Despite this, they are only allowed to identify blood-related diseases.
However, there are around 70 Hematologists in Sri Lanka.
Although this is has been happening for a while, it has not been discussed due to the power wielded by the GMOA. However, the issue has surfaced due to a recent incident which had taken place at the Badulla Hospital recently.
Dr. Sagarika's story
Hematologist Dr. Sagarika Jayalath was posted at the Badulla Hospital. Although she has not been assigned a ward, she had commenced a small unit comprising of 04 beds.
Since then, many patients were treated after being diagnosed to be afflicted with non-cancerous blood disorders.
She had also prescribed medicine for these patients which were issued by the Hospital's medical supply unit.
However, her actions were opposed to by the GMOA chairman of the Badulla District - Dr. Palitha.
Regardless, Dr. Sagarika had continued her work and this has prompted Dr. Palitha to complain of this to GMOA.
Over the pressure of the GMOA, the Director General of Medical Services had gone to Badulla and informed Dr. Sagarika to confine her work to merely diagnosing and not prescribe drugs.
However, Dr. Sagarika had retorted that she is well qualified to prescribe medicine and to prove it before the Medical Council if it is otherwise.
Such a complaint is yet to be made before the Medical Council, reports add.
(Sath Handa)
