Sri Lanka is confronting a serious shortage of specialist doctors capable of treating blood cancers and performing bone marrow transplants, according to senior medical experts who say the country’s healthcare system is struggling to cope with rising demand. The warning comes amid growing concern over the limited number of trained professionals available for highly complex cancer care.
Specialist physician Dr. Buddhika Somawardhana stated that between 15,000 and 18,000 new cancer cases are recorded in Sri Lanka each year. Among them, an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 patients require advanced treatment such as bone marrow transplants, which demand highly specialized expertise and infrastructure.
He noted that only four specialists in the entire country are currently handling blood cancer and bone marrow transplant-related treatment. Three of them, including himself, are based at Maharagama Apeksha Hospital, while one specialist serves at Kandy National Hospital. He also warned that several trained doctors have left the country for overseas employment, further worsening the shortage.
Experts further highlighted that treatment for such conditions is extremely expensive and often requires both advanced medical resources and consistent drug availability. Due to these limitations, many patients begin treatment in Sri Lanka but are later referred abroad for further care, commonly to India or other countries.
Dr. Somawardhana also cited 2022 national data showing 35,855 new cancer cases, including around 5,400 blood cancer cases. He stressed that without expanding specialist training and improving healthcare infrastructure, the gap between patient needs and available treatment will continue to grow.
Consultant hematologist Dr. Nilupuli Gunaratne emphasized the importance of strict follow-up care after intensive cancer treatment. She warned that treatment costs can range from 10 to 20 million rupees, and failure to maintain proper follow-up can lead to serious, even life-threatening, complications.
She added that patients remain highly vulnerable after treatment due to weakened immune systems, making regular monitoring essential to prevent infections and other medical risks.
