5,500 nursing students to be enrolled – Minister

Health Minister Keheliya Rambukwella told Parliament that a programme will be prepared to fill the nursing vacancies in hospitals. 

The Minister stated this while replying to a question by MP Sumith Udukumbura regarding the vacancies of nursing staff. He also mentioned that necessary arrangements are being made to recruit 5,500 new students for the nursing service for 2023. Commenting further, the minister pointed out that the highest number of vacancies are in provincial hospitals. Transfer of employees between national and provincial hospitals cannot be done officially. The minister further stated that he hopes to reach a common agreement in the future. The Health Minister stated that attention is being paid to the preparation of an urgent programme to direct Sri Lankan professionals for jobs in the health sector in various countries of the world.

The minister who commented further said that there is a need of Rs.13 million for recruitment and training of nursing assistants in the health sector and it is expected to be recruited for this purpose by providing separate training. There is a lot of room in nursing in the world. In the future, this group will be trained in English language together with the Foreign Employment Promotion Bureau.