- Queries motive for project
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) announced that it will withdraw from the Arogya project launched by the Health Ministry with effect from yesterday (2).
Speaking on the matter, the GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Hansamal Weerasuriya stated the decision to engage in this trade union (TU) action was taken due to the Government’s alleged failure to provide a satisfactory response to their demands.
In addition to withdrawing from the Arogya project, the GMOA is currently engaged in seven other TU actions.
Further elaborating on the decision, Dr. Weerasuriya questioned the transparency and objectives of the Arogya project. “We have not been properly informed about what the Arogya project is or the objective behind it. Was a feasibility study conducted? Under whose approval is this being implemented, and who is behind it? At a time when there are numerous serious issues within the country’s health sector, attention is being diverted to areas where there are no pressing problems, duplicating existing work. We have reasonable suspicion that this is being carried out with political motives. Instead of resolving the real issues faced by doctors and the health sector, attempts are being made to create unnecessary projects. Therefore, the Executive Committee of the GMOA has decided not to participate in such a politically driven initiative about which we have not been properly informed,” he said.
Despite there being several medical professionals in the National People’s Power Government, it is apparent that the Government is avoiding its responsibility to safeguard the free health service, the GMOA Assistant Secretary Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe alleged. Announcing his Union’s intention to withdraw from the Arogya health clinics yesterday, Dr. Wijesinghe criticised the Government, stating that there is a shortage of medical officers and other health service employees, a serious shortage of specialist doctors, concerns regarding their safety, a shortage of medicinal drugs, and issues relating to the quality of the available drugs.
Efforts to contact the Deputy Health Minister Dr. Hansaka Wijemuni and the Ministry Secretary Dr. Anil Jasinghe proved futile.