Approximately 7,000 doctors are expected to be recruited into the health service over the next three years, Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa has announced.
The Health Minister said the recruitment programme would be carried out after reviewing existing vacancies in hospitals, as well as staff retirements and vacancies arising from the deaths of medical officers.
The Minister made these remarks while attending an event today (15).
Minister Jayatissa pointed out that the cadre structure determining the staffing requirements of the health sector had not been revised since 2017.
Although the hospital system has expanded with the establishment of new units and facilities at many hospitals, the absence of an updated cadre structure had created obstacles to recruiting the required personnel, he explained.
To address the issue, the Ministry of Health has conducted a scientific analysis of the required staff cadre over the past several months.
The relevant information was submitted to the Department of Management Services of the Ministry of Finance approximately two months ago.
The Health Minister expressed confidence that approval for the required health sector staffing cadre for the three-year period covering 2027, 2028 and 2029 could be secured by December this year.
He also highlighted the country's medical education capacity, noting that 11 of Sri Lanka's 25 districts have medical faculties operating under the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka.
Approximately 12,000 students are currently pursuing medical degrees at these faculties.
He observed that this represents a significant number of future medical professionals, considering that the country's existing workforce comprises around 25,000 doctors, specialist doctors and administrative medical officers.
The government plans to absorb the majority of medical graduates who complete their internship training into the public health service.
The remaining graduates may seek employment in the private sector or pursue opportunities overseas.
Health Minister Jayatissa further said that the difficulties previously faced in providing first appointments to doctors who completed their internship training, due to limitations in the old 2017 cadre structure, are expected to be addressed through the revised staffing framework.
