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GMOA on islandwide strike today against Health Ministry

20 Dec 2021

BY Buddhika Samaraweera Following a one-day strike in five districts yesterday (20), the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to launch an islandwide strike today (21), alleging that officials of the Ministry of Health had acted arbitrarily in granting appointments to post-internship medical officers. Doctors attached to the GMOA had decided to strike in hospitals and other health institutions in the Mannar, Trincomalee, Ratnapura, Nuwara Eliya, and Polonnaruwa Districts yesterday. The GMOA Central Committee, which met last evening, has decided to commence an islandwide strike from 8 a.m. today. However, the GMOA announced that doctors from all hospitals islandwide will continue to provide emergency care at the respective hospitals without any hindrance. In addition, the GMOA stated that the strike action will not be effective in maternity hospitals, paediatric hospitals, cancer hospitals, and kidney treatment units, and that Covid-19 treatment services and Covid-19 vaccination will continue uninterrupted. Commenting on the strike action at a media briefing held yesterday, GMOA Central Committee Member Dr. Prasad Colombage claimed that officials of the Health Ministry have acted arbitrarily in granting post-internship appointments. “Health Ministry officials have forgotten the procedure for making post-internship appointments through transfer boards and acted in an arbitrary manner. This strike is launched in protest of the arbitrary appointment of doctors to remote areas and transfers,” he mentioned. However, the Health Ministry has stated that the strike launched by the GMOA was an act of sabotage. Speaking at a media briefing yesterday, Deputy Director General of Health Services (DDGHS) Dr. G. Wijesuriya claimed that there was no political or other personal influence in granting post-internship appointments. He added that neither Minister of Health Keheliya Rambukwella nor Ministry Secretary Dr. Sanjeewa Munasinghe has any ability to exert such influence. “These appointments are being made taking into account the list of vacancies and the areas identified as having the highest need for services. The relevant list of vacancies has even been signed by the GMOA representative and the appointments were made accordingly. Therefore, there is no reason for a strike to be launched. This action can be termed as an act of sabotage,” he said. Rambukwella and Dr. Munasinghe were not available for comment.


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