December 30, 2011, 9:13 pm
By Dilanthi Jayamanne, The Island.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has continuously expressed its concerns over Prof. Carlo Fonseka’s appointment as the next Chief of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).
Addressing a Press briefing on Wednesday (27), Assistant Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Upul Gunasekera said they were hoping for a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the end of next week to discuss the issue.
He said there had been a unanimous decision by the medical fraternity to recommend the name of Professor Lalitha Mendis who has already served two terms, out of five, before tending her resignation.
However, the present chief of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), Dr. Fonseka is another matter. He does not have registration with the SLMC, Gunasekera said stating that they were unaware if Prof. Fonseka had registered after his name had come up as the next President of the SLMC, Gunasekera said.
According to the Medical Ordinance the SLMC Chairman should have no political affiliations to be able to function independently. Prof Fonseka is a good teacher but his comments and articles in newspapers have been able to raise several eyebrows in the medical field – especially with regard to comments he has made regarding the SLMC, he alleged.
However, President of the Sri Lanka Society for Medical Laboratory Science (SLSMLS), Ravi Kumudesh, when contacted, said it would be a good move on the part of the government as Prof. Fonseka was on par with all professions in the medical field.
"We have seen that in the past the SLMC has observed double standards towards medical officers and other professions in the health field," he charged. Their only concern has been centred on medical officers and medical colleges.
Several other health professions too need to register with the SLMC, namely: Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiology technologists, occupational therapists, eye technicians and dental technicians.
But it is a noted fact that the SLMC has been responsible for awarding registration to bogus diploma holders and businessmen who want to make a few quick bucks by awarding these diplomas.
Kumudesh said the present situation had left room for nurses, MLTs and the other health professions to seek their own Councils as they have no faith in the SLMC. The Nurses have already succeeded in breaking away.
He said that Prof. Fonseka was quite capable of restoring the situation if he is appointed.
The Paramedical unions could not be contacted for comment at the time.
By Dilanthi Jayamanne, The Island.
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has continuously expressed its concerns over Prof. Carlo Fonseka’s appointment as the next Chief of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC).
Addressing a Press briefing on Wednesday (27), Assistant Secretary of the GMOA Dr. Upul Gunasekera said they were hoping for a meeting with President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the end of next week to discuss the issue.
He said there had been a unanimous decision by the medical fraternity to recommend the name of Professor Lalitha Mendis who has already served two terms, out of five, before tending her resignation.
However, the present chief of the National Authority on Tobacco and Alcohol (NATA), Dr. Fonseka is another matter. He does not have registration with the SLMC, Gunasekera said stating that they were unaware if Prof. Fonseka had registered after his name had come up as the next President of the SLMC, Gunasekera said.
According to the Medical Ordinance the SLMC Chairman should have no political affiliations to be able to function independently. Prof Fonseka is a good teacher but his comments and articles in newspapers have been able to raise several eyebrows in the medical field – especially with regard to comments he has made regarding the SLMC, he alleged.
However, President of the Sri Lanka Society for Medical Laboratory Science (SLSMLS), Ravi Kumudesh, when contacted, said it would be a good move on the part of the government as Prof. Fonseka was on par with all professions in the medical field.
"We have seen that in the past the SLMC has observed double standards towards medical officers and other professions in the health field," he charged. Their only concern has been centred on medical officers and medical colleges.
Several other health professions too need to register with the SLMC, namely: Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), pharmacists, physiotherapists, radiology technologists, occupational therapists, eye technicians and dental technicians.
But it is a noted fact that the SLMC has been responsible for awarding registration to bogus diploma holders and businessmen who want to make a few quick bucks by awarding these diplomas.
Kumudesh said the present situation had left room for nurses, MLTs and the other health professions to seek their own Councils as they have no faith in the SLMC. The Nurses have already succeeded in breaking away.
He said that Prof. Fonseka was quite capable of restoring the situation if he is appointed.
The Paramedical unions could not be contacted for comment at the time.
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