Eighty consultant trainees currently stranded in the United Kingdom expect to return to Sri Lanka citing that the country will lose years long investments if they happen to contract the fast spreading virus.
Nearly 300 Sri Lankan doctors are currently in the UK to fulfil their mandatory training as required by the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM) of the University of Colombo to become a consultant here. Only 80 have expressed their willingness to return, some have completed their training while several others have completed most part of the training that takes up to between one to two years.
The Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said Sri Lanka can benefit by bringing these doctors back.
“We understand they have to undergo the quarantine process. After that (when they are cleared) these doctors can help in treating COVID 19 patients in Sri Lanka,” he said.
Dr. Aluthge said leaving the trainee consultants in the UK will expose them to great danger as the outbreak in the United Kingdom is at high risk level.
Eight doctors who were battling the outbreak in the UK died after contracting the virus. Among them is Sri Lankan born Dr. Anton Sebastianpillai, a Consultant Geriatrician. Dr. Sebastianpillai who was in his 70s died last Saturday (4) four days after being admitted to Kingston Hospital, foreign media reported.
The Sunday Observer learns that at least eight Sri Lankan doctors in the UK have contacted COVID 19.
Given the seriousness of the issue, PGIM trainees have written to the Sri Lankan Government including the Institute with a plea to make necessary arrangements for them to return to the country.
Cabinet Co-Spokesperson Dr. Ramesh Pathirana said during the Cabinet press briefing this week, the Government has taken steps to repatriate 33 Sri Lankans in foreign airports.
These include two Sri Lankans in the UK. However, an official decision regarding the PGIM trainees’ return has not been taken.
Addressing a media conference Director of the Epidemiology Unit Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said there has been many requests to repatriate Sri Lankans living in other countries. “There is no problem in their return. What is important is the quarantining process,” he said explaining that at least two weeks of quarantining is mandatory during which time the returnees will be closely observed before sending them to their homes.
Early this week the Institute sent a letter to the trainees stating that there was no way to facilitate a return in view of the travel ban imposed by Sri Lanka. “The PGIM will do everything in its means to ensure your safety and other concerns while you are undergoing your overseas training during these exceptional circumstances,” it added.
On the same note Association of Medical Specialists wrote to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa voicing their concerns about 400 post graduate trainees who are in COVID 19 high rick countries including the UK, Australia and Singapore. “There is a growing concern about their safety at work and the risk of transmission of infection to their family members residing with them,” the association stated in their letter.
Speaking to the Sunday Observer from the UK a representative of the PGIM trainees said they understand the risk doctors face when treating patients. “But our concerns are about the unnecessary exposure to this virus. There is also the government’s investment for our trainings,” he said adding if Sri Lanka was to lose several doctors from COVID 19 there is a considerably high loss for the country in terms of monetary value and manpower. He said as the situation prevail there is a definite risk of losing consultant doctors.
He also added that some of the trainees are residing in the UK with their families including children and elderly parents. “When we go to hospitals, we are at risk of brining the virus home to our children and parents,” he said adding that the kingdom is already struggling to treat its patients.