Health Minister Silva states that the dearth of doctors is a serious problem in the north-east except for Jaffna and other main towns. He also states that most of the doctors, who have been appointed to the hospitals in the north-eat recently, have not reported for work.

It is the allegation of the health minister that 95% of the doctors, who pass out form the Jaffna medical faculty, prefer to work in areas outside the north-east.

He has pointed out that most of the doctors, who were appointed to the hospitals in the north-east, either resigned or sought employment in the private sector. He further points out that most of them have even left the country.

But, the reality is that most of the doctors are reluctant to serve in the hospitals in the north-east due to the security situation in the country.

The prevailing situation of violence has affected not only the health sector but also the other essential sectors severely.

It is unfair to cast aspersions on the doctors over their reluctance to serve in the north-east without a corresponding improvement in the security situation. It is the government that should create a congenial atmosphere.

An English translation of the Editorial in Thinakkural, a Tamil daily based in Colombo

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