In a significant development, the Ministry of Labor in Sri Lanka has announced the deployment of hundreds of nurses to Saudi Arabian hospitals in 2024, addressing the growing demand for medical professionals in the Kingdom's healthcare sector.

Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment, Manusha Nanayakkara, along with representatives from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health, facilitated the first round of recruitment in Colombo this week.

Sanjay Nallaperuma, media secretary of Sri Lanka's Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment, stated that Saudi Arabia is actively seeking medical and paramedical personnel from countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka to meet its healthcare needs.

The initial target is to hire 1,000 nurses in a 12-month rolling program, with 95 nurses selected from 400 applicants in the first round. These nurses hold Bachelor of Science degrees and will be deployed to government hospitals across Saudi Arabia under the supervision of the Saudi Ministry of Health.

Saudi Arabia's healthcare system greatly benefits from the contributions of nurses, making nursing a highly sought-after career path due to the Kingdom's investments in the health sector.

The next recruitment phase is scheduled for August, with the selected nurses expected to begin their employment in May. Their work in Saudi Arabia, where nurses earn an average income of 5,250 riyals (approximately $1,400), will contribute to stabilizing Sri Lanka's economy, which has been grappling with financial challenges since 2022.

Each year, approximately 200,000 people from Sri Lanka seek employment opportunities abroad, serving as a significant source of foreign exchange amid the country's economic difficulties. Saudi Arabia remains a popular destination for Sri Lankan workers, particularly within the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Nallaperuma expressed gratitude for the employment opportunities provided by Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the positive impact on Sri Lanka's economy during a period of economic recovery.