Government doctors have intensified their trade union action, citing concerns over the retainability of doctors in the State health service, outstanding allowances and other perks that have either been reduced or not fully paid as promised.
Government Medical Officers’ (GMOA) Association Assistant Secretary, Dr. Hansamal Weerasuriya, told The Daily Morning yesterday (23) that medical professionals had consistently gone beyond their call of duty to ensure patient care and the smooth functioning of the State health system, despite growing challenges. However, he added, the Deputy Minister of Health and Mass Media has maintained that there are no drug shortages and that doctors, as medical practitioners, are performing a public service.
Dr. Weerasuriya added that several trade unions have urged the ministry to address the persistent shortages of medicines in State hospitals and to resolve long-standing issues related to allowances and benefits. Following consultations with its membership on Tuesday (25), the GMOA will decide to escalate its trade union action. Under the current measures, doctors will refrain from duties for which they have no legal sanction, such as issuing prescriptions for medicines unavailable in State hospitals. They will also decline to see patients without a chaperone and will not participate in health clinics organised by politicians. In addition, the union will refuse deployment to any new health facility established by the Government without a proper cadre revision.
Dr. Weerasuriya emphasised that while many new health facilities have been set up in recent years, the Ministry of Health has failed to revise the official doctor cadre for nearly a decade, leaving staffing levels insufficient to meet growing patient demand. He said it is now imperative that a cadre revision be carried out to ensure the retainability and proper distribution of doctors across the State health service.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the GMOA has called an emergency Central Working Committee meeting this week to discuss future action concerning the group’s ongoing trade union action. GMOA Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe stated this while speaking at a press briefing, where he said that if the Government and the health authorities do not take concrete action to address doctors’ issues, the ongoing trade union action would be intensified.
He added: “We presented suggestions in this regard, and the President expressed agreement. However, we cannot work based on verbal promises because the health system is in danger. We know that issues cannot be resolved overnight. We expect that the Health Minister would make a positive and responsible statement in this regard. If the Health Minister does not play his role properly, we will be compelled to intensify trade union action from next week.”
Doctors launched trade union action, which includes refraining from issuing prescriptions for medicines or tests outside hospitals, seeking solutions to several issues including those related to salaries, job stability and the hospital system’s basic facilities. After meeting with the President last week, they said that although they were promised solutions, trade union action will continue until concrete measures and a clear implementation timeline are announced.