Protest by specialist: Further delay in implementing doctors’ End-post List

The implementation of the much-awaited End-post List 2024 for medical specialists is further delayed, causing severe discontent among those serving the country without seeking greener pastures, the Sunday Times understands.

The End-post List which should have been implemented from January 1 this year is on hold as a specialist who has allegedly gone abroad on special no-pay leave for less than two years, has sent letters of protest to the Health Ministry and the Public Service Commission (PSC) that his post should not be advertised as per a Health Ministry circular.

The Sunday Times learns that his protest had been upheld at an urgent meeting held yesterday chaired by Health Secretary

Dr. Palitha Mahipala and Head of the End-post List Appeal Board, Dr. Sunil de Alwis.

According to the Health Ministry circular cited by the protesting specialist, if a specialist takes no-pay leave for less than two years, his/her post is not advertised but filled by someone who will act for him/her. However, with recent approval being granted by the government for medical specialists to seek no-pay leave for five years, there had been consensus among many stakeholders including the Health Ministry, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) and the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) that such posts should be advertised and allocated to others through the End-post List.

While the specialist who has protested has claimed that his post should not have been advertised as he has sought leave for less than two years, many others stressed that his leave application should be scrutinised to see whether that claim was right.

“Otherwise, it would be sorely unfair on those who are serving this country amidst much hardship, while others have abandoned it,” another said.

The delay in the implementation of the End-post List has caused concern and fury among specialists who are serving in difficult areas and have been doing so for many years, as this is their “only” chance to get to popular hospitals in main cities.

Appeasing distressed colleagues, a specialist said that this amendment to the Endpost List should not take much time and it could be finalised in a day or two.