Message to colleagues that he is in England now
Life-saving surgeries including caesarean operations at the Hambantota General Hospital have been halted as the only anaesthetist at the hospital had gone abroad last Friday (11) without formal permission from the Health Ministry.
The other Specialists of the Hambantota General Hospital have had to postpone all scheduled surgeries. Although two anesthetists have been approved to the Hambanthota General Hospital, only one anesthetheist had worked in the hospital so far.
It was learned that this anesthetist had gone abroad on Saturday 12 through a short message sent by the doctor to several other doctors noting that he had gone to England.
Hospital sources said that this is the first appointment that the concerned anaesthetist got after coming to Sri Lanka with specialist training, and that the doctor has only served for a mere three months after receiving the relevant appointment.
Hambanthota General Hospital Director Dr. Suranga Obeysekera said the concerned doctor had not given proper notice that he had left the country.
“He has only taken a short leave of two days from the hospital. He has not sought approval to go abroad. I have informed the Health Ministry about this situation”.
He said that due to the absence of the anaesthetist, all sugeries that were scheduled had to be cancelled. However, he said that the necessary arrangements are being made to get the services of an anaesthetist to the Hambantota General Hospital soon.
Nuwan Jayasekera