SAITM categorically refutes GMOA allegations

The South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM) in a statement yesterday categorically refuted allegations made by the GMOA that “SAITM lacks the legal status to confer the MBBS degree”. 

“Moreover, we vehemently decry the accusation that SAITM and its students are bringing about undue, unethical influence on the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC),” SAITM added.

SAITM was recognised as a Degree Awarding Institute by an order published in Gazette Extraordinary No. 1721/19 dated 30/11/2011 and subsequently No. 1829/36 dated 26/09/2013 in terms of Section 25A of the Universities Act of 1978, and tabled in Parliament, to award the degree Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).

We reiterate that the MBBS degree programme offered by SAITM is on par with or even better than similar programmes offered by State/foreign medical faculties. SAITM has offered more than Rs. 500 m worth of scholarships to deserving students.

The SLMC is obliged by law to register students with a degree in Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from a Degree Awarding Institute, as per section 29(1)(b)(i) of the Medical Ordinance as amended in 1988, in the same manner as a student with a degree from a State Medical Faculty. The refusal of the SLMC to grant provisional registration to SAITM MBBS graduates has been challenged in the Appeal Court vide Case No.: CA/WRIT/187/2016. Under no circumstances has SAITM ever interfered with the internal affairs of the SLMC.

SAITM has the fullest confidence that the Government of Sri Lanka, the Parliament and the legal system will ensure that the due process of law will prevail, which will enable SAITM students to contribute their best to benefit our health system and people of this country.

The medical students who have successfully completed their MBBS Degree have studied under some of the best professors and lecturers in the country for the past seven years. All SAITM medical graduates are knowledgeable, capable and highly committed to assume their rightful place as fully-fledged doctors to serve Sri Lanka.

Regarding the financial commitments of SAITM for the establishment of SAITM and the Dr. Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital (NFTH), SAITM also wishes to place on record that its Chairman Dr. Neville Fernando has intimated that he is willing to offer Rs. 4 b worth state-of-the-art teaching hospital to the Government while retaining the five professorial units under SAITM management and continue to honour the hospital’s ongoing loan commitments.