The Minimum Standards of Medical Education in existence from 2006, says former SLMC President

Prof. Lalitha Mendis counters allegations by Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne

With minimum standards of medical education being put under the microscope and varied views being expressed, former President of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) Prof. Lalitha Mendis has stepped in to counter allegations by Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and reiterate that Sri Lanka does have minimum standards.

The Minimum Standards of Medical Education have been in existence from 2006, points out Prof. Mendis, a former SLMC President, who has also held high academic positions such as the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Colombo; President of the Postgraduate Institute of Medicine (PGIM); and Competent Authority/Vice Chancellor of the University of Colombo, while also serving as a former President of the Sri Lanka Medical Association (SLMA).

Prof. Mendis states that Health Minister Dr. Senaratne is reported to have said that the SLMC’s first mistake was that they did not have prescribed standards which they still do not have. All countries have minimum standards of medical education. They did not even know the method to set the prescribed standards, he had said. This is while, she adds, Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella is reported to have said that the “SLMC should clearly outline minimum standards of medical education”. Pointing out that Dr. Senaratne may recall a meeting held in the parliamentary complex in 2006, convened by the then Health Minister to discuss Minimum Standards of Medical Education, Prof. Mendis explains that the SLMC first gazetted its Minimum Standards Regulations No. 01 of 2006 in the Gazette of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka (Extraordinary) in No. 1458/16 August 17, 2006 and No.1488/14 March 13, 2007. These were regulations made by the then Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition, under Section 19 read with Section 72 (3)(4) of the Medical Ordinance (Chapter 105) in consultation with the SLMC.

“The Minimum Standards were subject to revision as and when required. The SLMC next Gazetted Minimum Standards of Medical Education in 2009. Gazette No. 1590/13 -2009, 25th February 2009 and the regulations prevail until the next revision is published,” she states.

According to Prof. Mendis, based on the above standards, the SLMC published two comprehensive books:

* Guidelines and Specifications on Standards and Criteria for Accreditation of Medical Schools in Sri Lanka and Courses of Study provided by them 2011.

* Guidelines and Standards, Criteria and Procedures for the Recognition of Degrees Awarded by Foreign Medical Schools 2010.

She states: “Regretfully, none of the Health Ministers from 2007 onwards tabled the Minimum Standards in Parliament. Recently, a committee appointed by the SLMC has prepared a draft revision of Minimum Standards, which was presented to the Medical Council and is now before the Faculties of Medic ine for their comments. These revisions are based on the World Federation of Medical Education guidelines.”

Prof. Mendis states “with responsibility” that the SLMC is very committed to its functions as summarized below: * Registration * Scrutiny to ensure maintenance of Minimum Standards of Medical Education

* Investigating complaints against those registered by the Medical Council

* Other functions. Eg. The Medical Ordinance empowers the Medical Council to “make representation to the Government on any matter connected with the medical profession in Sri Lanka.”