This shortage is so severe that of the 101 state hospitals in the north, 31 are without a single doctor, he said.

Also, the province has only 55 specialists, whereas the requirement is 119, according to him.

The only two eye specialists in the north are stationed at the central government run Jaffna Teaching Hospital, said Dr. Satyalingam.

Specialists

The central government has not yet appointed specialists to Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mannar Hospitals, while the province is also in dire need of cardiologists.

In addition, state hospitals in the north need 300 more nurses.

Despite an earlier promise to give 180 nurses, the number has now been brought down to 80, he said, adding that allocating that number among the hospitals has become a problem.

Difficulties

Commitment of the existing staff since the time of the war has enabled the continuation of the hospital services, he said.

Hospitals without a single doctor are run similarly, but that cannot continue, said the provincial minister.

Despite requests, the government has yet to provide the required staff, BBC Sandeshaya quoted him as saying.