SAITM crisis:A brief history

By Shamindra Ferdinando-July 2, 2017, 10:11 pm

The Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA)

has challenged Health Minister and co-cabinet spokesman Dr. Rajitha Senaratnes
recent declaration that the SAITM (South Asian Institute of technology and
Medicine), Malabe, wont be nationalized under any circumstances.

Responding to Dr Senaratne, newly elected GMOA Secretary Harith Alutge

emphasised that remedial measures taken to resolve SAITM crisis should lead to
its nationalisation.

While Dr. Senaratne has declared that the government wouldnt talk with the
GMOA in this regard, the GMOA reiterated its unwavering commitment to a five-
point joint proposal made by the Deans and teachers of the state medical
faculties and the GMOA to resolve the crisis.
GMOA proposals

The proposal comprises (1) gazetting of minimum standards of medical education

and legalizing technical report of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (2) Higher
Education and Highways Minister Lakshman Kiriella should inform court that the
SAITM has not received SLMC approval (3) suspension of SAITM enrolment (4)
suspension of awarding degrees and (5) setting up a committee to address the
grievances of those studying there subject to SLMC approval.

Dr. Senaratne announced the suspension of talks with the GMOA in the wake of a
meeting between a delegation of doctors led by its President Dr. Anurudda
Padeniya and President Maithripala Sirisena on the morning of June 24 at the
latters official residence. Both Dr. Senaratne as well as the SLFP and the UNP
played down that powwow on the basis it was a private meeting. A former
confidant of UPFA MP Wimal Weerawansa and UNP National List MP Arshu
Marasinghe asserted that Sirisena hadnt met the GMOA in his capacity as the
President.

Dr. Senaratne went to the extent of questioning the validity of a statement issued
by the then Secretary to the President P. B. Abeykoon following the meeting. The
GMOA has been accused of clandestinely meeting President, privately, to seek a
way out of the crisis created by it.

Asked whether the GMOA had been under pressure to reach an understanding
with President Sirisena, Dr. Padeniya emphasised that the meeting was called by
the Presidents Office. Padenya said: "An official set the meet on behalf of
President Sirisena. I received the calls on behalf of the GMOA. Of course, Dr.
Senaratne can easily verify this with the President."
Padeniya alleged that an influential section within the government was interfering
with President Sirisenas responsibility. Had President Sirisena met the GMOA
clandestinely, why on earth did Abeykoon issue a statement which received wide
coverage on both public and private media? Padeniya asked.

The Island like other print and electronic media institutions must have also
received the email from Presidents Media regarding Saturdays meeting, Dr.
Padeniya said.

Padeniya denied allegations that he had been playing politics with the SAITM
issue at the expense of those studying there and in the process undermined
yahapalana administration. President Sirisena should be way from those around
him, Dr. Padeniya said, alleging that an obvious attempt was being made to
manipulate President Sirisena regarding the SAITM issue. "The possibility of
President Sirisena facing a similar situation as regards other crucial matters such
as constitutional reforms can not be ruled out", he said.

Prof. Fonseka on SAITM standards

In the wake of the SAITM battle, the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) last week
reiterated its warning against what it called misleading advertisements and
advertorials in the print and electronic media meant to attract students to local
and foreign medical and dental schools. The latest warning was given ahead of
SLMC head Prof. Carlo Fonseka relinquishing his duties last Friday on the
completion of his term including a six-month extension given by President
Sirisena.

Addressing the media outside the SLMC office, Prof. Fonseka said the SLMC would
continue to follow its current stand pertaining to the SAITM. Asked whether the
SAITM should exist Prof. Fonseka stressed that they always talked about
standards not closure of the institution. Declaring that SAITM students had been
so far denied recognition on the basis of standards, Prof. Fonseka said that the
decision could be taken following a fresh examination. Prof. Fonseka stressed that
SAITM students grievances, too, should be addressed.

Prof. Fonseka asserted that the SAITM had been made a major issue by the media
before concluding his remarks.

Prof. Fonseka received his appointment from the then Health Minister
Maithripala Sirisena in 2012.

Takeover of Asha Central

Against the backdrop of the government and the GMOA hardening their positions
it would be pertinent to examine the launch of SAITM project during the previous
administration.

At the time of Dr. Neville Fernando launched the project in 2008 he hadnt
obtained a bank loan, a spokesperson for the board of directors told The Island.

Dr. Fernando, who had served the UNP and the SLFP as a member of parliament
for two terms, 1977-1982 and 1989-2004, respectively, acquired Asha Central
Hospital in 1998 from Sony Siedles proprietor Moraji Udeshi. Having revived the
hospital, Dr. Fernando sold it to Asoka Pathirage, proprietor of Asiri Hospital in
2007 in the wake of the Urban Development Authority (UDA) prohibiting further
improvements with new elevations. Funds received from the sale of Asha Central
were invested in the SAITM project the following year, the spokesperson said in
response to another query. Pathirage named it Asiri Central Hospital.
Dr. Neville Fernando-led 11 member board of directors includes his wife
Swarnamali Fernando, three sons, Dr Devaka Fernando, Dr. Krishantha Fernando,
Naomal Fernando, daughter, Sharmalee Jayatilake son-in-law cardiologist Mohan
Jayatilake (non executive), granddaughter Himali Jayatilake. Non-family members
include two more doctors, Dr. Ranjith Cabraal and Dr. Sameera Senaratne and
counsel Mrs Manoli Jinadasa (non-executive). However, non-family board
member Dr. Sameera Senaratne, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)of SAITM and
Neville Fernando Teaching Hospital has been sent on long leave pending ongoing
investigations into him allegedly staging a firearms attack on his car on the night
of Feb 2, 2017 at Mulleriyawa. The SAITM management announced the
suspension on Feb 28, 2017 in the wake of shocking revelation that Dr. Sameera
staged the incident with some underworld elements.

Dr. Fernandos CIMA qualified and Jayawardenepura management graduate

grand daughter, Himali functions as the Deputy Chairperson of the SAITM.

The spokesperson denied SAITM involvement in the incident.

Dr. Neville Fernando has been engaged in various ventures, including printing,
tissue culture and ceramics but since the launch of SAITM in 2008 he is fully
involved in it.

Initially, there were engineering, management, IT and communication faculties

and subsequently medicine and also in line with company regulations the
management had been changed to medicine in 2009, the spokesperson said.

At the beginning it was South Asian Institute of Technology and Management

which later changed to South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine.
In an interview with The Island, Dr. Neville Fernando explained that the first batch
comprising 25 students for medicine had been enrolled in Aug 2009. The second
batch had faced two interview boards with the second being the University
Grants Commission (UGC), Dr. Fernando said, stressing that the admissions were
subject to UGC approval. "There cannot be any issue as regards the admissions,"
the former politician said.

The change over from management to medicine in 2009 had been approved by
the Board of Investment (BOI), Dr Fernando said, adding that there had been
opposition from the GMOA or any other trade union or the student community.

State medical faculties can accommodate about 1,200 students annually though
the actual number of those who obtained required results to enter universities is
much higher.

Govt-SAITM pact on clinical training

According to Dr. Fernando, trouble

erupted in 2011 in the wake of the
government allocating the Homagama
hospital for SAITM students to undergo
clinical training. The government and the
SAITM reached an agreement in April
2011 under which the latter was to invest
Rs. 200 mn to develop Homagama as a Teaching Hospital. Alleging that the GMOA
sabotaged the agreement meant to ensure proper and sufficient clinical training
to SAITM students, Dr. Fernando said that his primary intention was to give an
opportunity to those who couldnt enter state universities due to lack of space. "I
dont have to explain how Z score deprived so many deserving students," Dr.
Fernando said, alleging that if the GMOA had not thwarted government-SAITH
agreement on Homagama hospital, the Malabe private medical college wouldnt
have been an issue today.

Dr. Fernando pointed out that those who had been properly selected in
accordance with UGC criterion were unfairly denied the opportunity to receive
clinical training at a government hospital in spite of SAITM agreeing to invest Rs
200 mn to develop that hospital.

The then Higher Education Minister S. B. Dissanayake in late Aug 2011 recognized
SAITM as a degree awarding institute in terms of section 25 (A) of the Universities
Act No. 16 of 1978. Maithripala Sirisena had held the health portfolio at that time.

Having failed to resolve the problem, the SAITM, following consultations with the
Rajapaksa government obtained Rs 2 bn loan from the Bank of Ceylon (BoC) in
2011 to build a hospital of its own. In accordance with the agreement, the SAITM
was to repay the loan within ten years, Dr. Fernando said, adding that
undoubtedly the hospital with over one acre of floor area with 1002 bed capacity
met the highest standards.

In spite of substantial BoC investment, the SAITM board of directors doesnt

include a representative from the bank.

"The UGC wanted to make 700 beds available for the public. We provide a quality
service though charges are comparatively low."

Dr. Fernando said that his hospital had attracted about 100 patients a day in spite
of various lies propagated by those seeking to sabotage the project.
He said the SAITM medicine course was on par with that of the Colombo medical
faculty. "MBBS is a traditional programme under benchmark statement of the
UGC."

SAITM ready to give up control

Asked whether the demand to stop awarding of degrees was acceptable, Dr.
Fernando said the matter was now before the Supreme Court.

As the apex court had allocated July 5 and 6 to decide on the status of SAITM
consequent to an MBBS graduate of SAITM Dhilmi Kasunda Malshani
Suriyarachchi securing Court of Appeal ruling in January this year that enabled her
to register at the SLMC as a medical practitioner in accordance with the Medical
Ordinance.

The SAITM proprietor asserted that it would have been better if all stakeholders
to the dispute delayed announcement of various solutions until the Supreme
Court ruling.

Dr. Fernando acknowledged that the SAITM hadnt been able to convince the
GMOA and other trade unions to discuss the issues with the management. There
couldnt be any problem in GMOA having discussions with SAITM Professors and
other academics, Dr. Fernando, said, pointing out even the SLMC visited SAITM
only once. The SAITM chief pointed out the SLMC had granted registration to
foreign medical institutions after visiting them one time or in some cases even
without visiting them. Had they been so concerned, the SLMC could have visited
them several times, he said.

Asked whether government proposals meant to settle the crisis were acceptable
to them, Dr. Fernando said that they were engaged in discussions. "Certainly, we
are agreeable to run our hospital like Sri Jayewardenepura hospital with fee paid
sections and also to broad base the SAITM management by listing it in the stock
market." Dr. Fernando said, adding that he didnt have any problem in the
government taking 51 per cent of the venture.

The SAITM Chairman said that one of his primary intention was enable the SAITM
students to receive clinical experience.

Responding to another query, Dr. Fernando emphasised that SAITM students

shouldnt suffer due to the GMOAs intransigence and rival JVP factions flexing
their muscles in a bid to dupe the student community. The former UNP MP
explained the battle waged by the JVP and its offshoot the Front line Socialist
Party (FSP) to gain control of the student community against the backdrop of the
latter having influence over the Inter University Students Federation (IUSF). Dr.
Fernando alleged that the GMOA was conducting anti-SAITM operation with the
support of JVP factions.

Dr. Fernando said three SAITM batches had passed out with excellent results with
honours and nearly 1,000 students were still undergoing training.

Dr. Fernando denied allegations that students with arts and commerce
qualifications were among the SAITM student community.

Asked whether former President Mahinda Rajapaksa had requested SAITM to

accommodate qualified deserving students, Dr. Fernando said that the majority of
those who were recommended by the former President did really well. The
former President had intervened on behalf of eleven students who had failed to
enter state universities as in that year two GCE A/L examinations had been held
and a dispute over the Z-score rankings had ensued. "All of them were given
scholarships," Dr. Fernando said, adding that altogether scholarships worth Rs.
550 mn were given to approximately 200 students.

SAITM charges Rs. 9 mn from each student.

SAITM chief admitted that even if the stakeholders to the issue agreed on a
formula that would pave the way for the government to take control, the
repayment of the BoC loan would be the responsibility of the SAITM.

Dr. Fernando stressed that cash-strapped government spent about nine million on
a medical student and SAITM had brought immense relief to the national
economy.

Dr Neville Fdo on SLMC

second report

Responding to another query, Dr. Fernando pointed out those who had been
campaigning against the SAITM had conveniently forgotten Prof. Fonsekas
predecessor had wanted entire training to be conducted in Sri Lanka and required
funds committed to establish facilities for clinical training on the basis that clinical
training here was much more relevant than anywhere else. "We were assured
that subject to SAITM fulfilling above instructions, those qualifying from the
institute wouldnt have to sit ERPM examination."

Dr. Fernando alleged that the problem had been caused by the SLMCs
controversial decision to drop its own recommendations made following 2014
comprehensive review of the SAITM. The recommendations made by nine out of
ten members of the Review Committee led by Prof. Rezvi Sheriff had included
training in forensic medicine and public health in addition to clinical training in
major clinical disciplines in government hospitals. The Sheriff Committee
recommended a six month programme for SAITM students and for the SLMC to
conduct clinical examination thereafter.

Dr. Fernando said the Dr Sheriff Committee report had been shelved on the basis
of a report prepared subsequently by a member of the review team who did not
participate in the original process. In spite of some members of the review team
as well as university academics opposing the move, the SLMC had adopted the
second report.
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