Minister of Health, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, has personally conveyed his apologies to the medical specialists at Ratnapura Teaching Hospital in light of recent statements made by SJB MP Thalatha Athukorala.
Athukorala had accused certain medical specialists, including Consultant Pediatrician Saman Abeywardena, Consultant Physician Dr. K. Jeganathan, and Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist Maithri Chandraratne, of impeding the allocation of general wards for the establishment of the Professorial Unit of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sabaragamuwa.
During a parliamentary session earlier this week, Athukorala expressed concerns about the alleged hindrance caused by the medical specialists, highlighting potential consequences for the future of students.
In response, Dr. Abeywardena clarified the situation, explaining that, according to relevant circulars, it is not feasible to assign general wards for the proposed Professorial Unit. He emphasized that, in line with the elevation of a hospital to the status of a Provincial General Hospital, three wards must be designated for each medical specialty. These existing wards and units at Ratnapura Teaching Hospital were established prior to the establishment of the medical faculty at Sabaragamuwa University.
Dr. Abeywardena stressed that both Sabaragamuwa University and the Health Ministry share the view that establishing new wards specifically for the Professorial Unit, rather than repurposing existing general wards, is the appropriate course of action. He pointed out that the Health Minister and Health Ministry Secretary have explicitly stated the impracticality of allocating general wards for a Professorial Unit.
In response to Athukorala’s allegations, Dr. Pathirana personally expressed his remorse to the medical specialists and assured them that he would address the matter in Parliament.
