Sri Lankan Doctors Leaving in Droves Amid Economic Crisis

The Government Medical Officers Association in Sri Lanka has raised concerns over the rising trend of medical professionals leaving the country due to the economic crisis. With approximately 25 percent of doctors having already completed exams required for seeking employment abroad, the emigration rate has surged following the country's default on foreign debt in early 2022.

Before the economic downturn triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic, around 200 doctors would leave Sri Lanka annually. However, the current situation has led to a sharp increase in this number, with over 1,800 doctors having departed in 2022 and 2023, and more expected to follow suit.

Specialists in fields such as emergency medicine, anesthesia, pediatrics, psychiatry, neurology, and cardiac surgery are among those leaving in larger numbers. Despite undergoing extensive training locally and internationally, these doctors are among the most underpaid professionals in the country, earning meager salaries ranging from $170 to $720 per month.

The primary reasons for this exodus include significantly higher salaries offered abroad, better working conditions, improved living standards, and educational opportunities for their families. The migration of specialists, estimated at around 400 in the past two years, is posing a significant challenge to the Sri Lankan healthcare system, impacting hospitals across urban and rural areas.

The Sri Lankan government is struggling to address the brain drain of doctors, as potential solutions involving financial incentives and salary restructuring are currently unfeasible given the country's economic circumstances. Efforts are being made to encourage doctors to return, emphasizing their responsibility to serve the nation that supported their education from kindergarten to university.

The increasing emigration of doctors from Sri Lanka due to economic challenges is creating a shortage of medical professionals in the country, particularly in specialized fields. This trend highlights the need for sustainable solutions to retain and attract skilled healthcare workers, ensuring the continued provision of quality medical services to the population.