Provision of healthcare almost impossible: AMS The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has stated that the situation in the country has now become catastrophic and medical specialists are finding it almost impossible to attend to hospital visits. This was made known through a letter by the AMS, addressed to the Director General of Health Services Dr Asela Gunawardena today (19). "Due to prevailing situation, Medical specialists are finding it almost impossible to attend to their usual hospital work, unless their hospital is within walking distance or hospital transport is available. This applies to attending to routine work, doing on calls and attending emergencies especially during after hours. We have already requested all our members to try their level best to fulfil their clinal responsibilities towards the general public and be in constant contact with their team and the hospital administration regarding this extraordinary situation which is totally beyond our control," the letter read. It further requested for a circular to be issued with the below mentioned points: 1. No disciplinary action should be taken against the said officer if he/ she is unable to be physically present in the hospital due to genuine reasons related to present fuel crisis which are totally beyond his/ her control. (eg. living far away from hospital with no transport or fuel to reach the hospital) 2. This absence from the work place should not be considered as any form of “leave “as this absence is PURELY due to the issues related to the present countrywide fuel crisis. 3. Ministry of Health should facilitate indemnity against any possible litigation that may occur as a result of Specialist Medical Officer not being able attend physically due to non availability of mode of transport arising out of present fuel crisis.