Dec 14, Colombo: Sri Lanka's powerful doctors' union, the Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) says health authorities need to limit the recruitment of unqualified medical practitioners from foreign countries.

GMOA President, Dr. Anuruddha Padeniya says there is a procedure to be followed on the appointment of doctors, particularly 'the specialized medical practitioners' in government hospitals.

He has observed that there was no such system in the private hospitals.

He has explained that the GMOA had discussed with the Health Minister and other officials and suggested that the procedures followed in government hospitals be applied to private hospitals as well.

The health authorities have accepted and agreed to the GMOA's request after considering the incidents and issues faced by patients due to the appointment of unqualified doctors from foreign countries, the GMOA Head has said.

According to Dr. Padeniya, Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena has vowed to take stern measures to prevent unqualified medical practitioners from foreign countries serving at private hospitals in the country.