The Ministry of Health has suspended a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and a Senior House Officer attached to the Trincomalee District General Hospital over alleged misconduct, including reportedly neglecting official duties to work at a private hospital during duty hours.

The suspended consultant, identified as Dr. O.V.G.L. Weeraseena, at the Trincomalee District General Hospital. Senior House Officer Dr. S.A.N.D. Siyambalapitiya has also been suspended.

The suspensions were ordered by the Director General of Health Services following a preliminary investigation conducted by the Health Ministry into the death of a newborn during a delivery at the hospital on 9 April, on the day the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) launched a strike.

According to the investigation, the two doctors had reportedly been informed by telephone on six occasions regarding complications related to the delivery of a mother identified as S. Thilakshika. However, both the consultant specialist and the senior doctor had allegedly failed to report to the labour ward.

The inquiry had further revealed that at the time, both doctors were allegedly engaged in conducting a separate Caesarean surgery at a nearby private hospital during official working hours.

Investigators had also reportedly found that false entries had been made in the official duty logbook claiming that the doctors had been present for duty at the Government hospital.

The Health Ministry stated that the investigation focused on allegations including engaging in private practice during official duty hours, neglecting official responsibilities, and failing to attend to a delivery, thereby allegedly endangering the life of the mother and unborn child.

The Director General of Health Services has also informed both doctors that they are prohibited from leaving the country during the suspension period and must notify authorities if there is any change in their residential address.