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Protecting our protectors 

25 May 2021

Sri Lankans remember how the Armed Forces fought to put an end to the three decade long separatist war, and a majority of the population are still grateful to them for the blood, sweat and tears they shed. They deserve respect not only because they stopped death and destruction, but also because in that endeavour, they risked their lives and the future of their families. That is also what makes their profession different from any other profession.  The war ended 12 years ago but at present, the country is waging an unarmed war against an invisible enemy, which is the Covid-19 pandemic, and this war is also led by a force, which is the healthcare sector, who have risked their lives and personal freedom to save the people.  The pandemic, as we well know, is worsening, and the country’s leading health authorities and professionals have warned that if the status quo is not changed, Sri Lanka will soon exhaust the resources available to deal with the increasing number of Covid-19 cases and deaths. However, the healthcare sector workers never stopped working because they did not have adequate resources, and over the past few months, they have performed more duties than their role originally required, without regard to their working hours.  In the past few months, groups fighting for the rights of healthcare sector workers have pointed out that some healthcare sector workers who are directly involved in Covid-19 management efforts are not being compensated properly. The Morning recently reported that Public Health Inspectors (PHIs) in some areas of the country have not been paid their transport stipend, while nurses’ trade unions also claimed that a severe shortage of face masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE) is hindering their performance. In addition, they lamented that even pregnant nurses are also required to report to work, despite Government instructions against doing so. According to some trade unions working for nurses’ rights, from 8 April to 10 May this year, around 130 nurses have tested positive for Covid-19.  That is not all. Early this month, laboratory technicians’ trade unions claimed that some laboratory technicians have not been paid their overtime pay, and that power games between high ranking officials are affecting these technicians.  It is not difficult to understand that the country is going through a difficult time in a context where a large number of activities that support the country’s economy have been affected owing to the pandemic. However, utilising the existing resources more wisely and sparingly is also one way of not letting the weakened economy affect Covid-19 management efforts as well as the healthcare sector workers that lead this process.  All the above-mentioned healthcare sector workers, PHIs, nurses and laboratory technicians are essential to the country’s Covid-19 management efforts, and without their contribution, the entire Covid-19 management process would collapse instantly. Also, it is their sacrifices that have prevented the shortage of resources from affecting the overall Covid-19 management efforts.  The two Ministers tasked with dealing with the Covid-19 situation have on several occasions vowed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the healthcare sector workers. However, when looking at the present situation, it appears to be that very little has been done for them, apart from providing the resources to work, and in some cases, that too is in question. Failing to identify the healthcare sector workers as an integral part of the country’s Covid-19 management efforts is not the issue. The issue is the delay in making them a priority. In fact, no part of the Covid-19 management efforts can be carried out without the involvement of the healthcare sector workers, and ensuring their wellbeing is a responsibility of the authorities.  This war can never be won if the authorities do not support those who fight for us and protect us, and with each passing day, their contribution, and value, increase.


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