GMOA, 8 TUs to launch major strike in May

25 April 2017 07:04 pm - 30 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) today warned that they would resort to a major trade union action in early May in coalition with over eight trade unions including the University lecturers against the double standards shown by the Health Minister and Higher Education Minister with regards to the running of the South Asian Institute of Technology and Medicine (SAITM).

The GMOA warned that along with University lecturers they would withdraw from examiner duties of the Examination for Registration to Practice Medicine (ERPM) (formally known as ACT16) until the government adopted a set of proposals given by Medical Faculty Heads that has handed to them over a month ago, which could ensure the quality of private medical institutions.

Addressing a press briefing GMOA Secretary Dr. Naveen De Zoysa said Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne and the Higher Education Minister Lakshman Kiriella should stop rescuing the SAITM institute and should work for the benefit of the general public.

“These ministers don’t have the technical knowledge to decide the minimum standards that need to be maintained by an institute such as the SAITM institute. They have taken over the responsibilities of the Sri Lanka Medical Council (SLMC) by force,” he said.

Dr. De Zoysa said the only institution that should be tasked with finding a solution to this and can be trusted to do so was the SLMC which has persons with the expertise needed for this purpose.

He said the GMOA was at present holding talks with more than eight State sector trade unions and were ready to resort to a countrywide action in early May, thus paralysing the country’s State sector and temporally forcing the government to let the Medical Council take a decision on the SAITM issue. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

Video by Sanjeewa

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Comments - 30

sivalogu@hotmail.com Wednesday, 26 April 2017 04:35 AM

SAITEM has to be saved

Chulantha Kulaskere Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:38 PM

So what is the minimum standard these people are talking about? Do the public medical colleges meet this standard?

James Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:31 PM

They get free education from tax payers money . Training a Doctor cost more than an engineer or other graduates. Unlike other graduates they have the most potential to earn money by working in private sector and at the same time be a government employee with pension . Now they want regulate what so and so person can study and where he/she can study

rosebud Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:27 PM

GMOA will learn a bitter lesson very soon. via DM Android App

Selvyn Wednesday, 26 April 2017 05:35 PM

He and his friends keep telling us of this joined trade union action but we say to you FLY A KITE via DM Android App

John Wednesday, 26 April 2017 04:11 PM

Typical prejudiced selfish comments from English newspapers readers defending the elite, new rich and doctor wannabes.Think of the social repercussions which will affect whole country.

Bala Wednesday, 26 April 2017 03:10 PM

Are they pressurising the Court. The Appeal Court judgement was appealed by SLMC. So wait for that judgment. Otherwise it is contempt.

Sambo Wednesday, 26 April 2017 09:18 AM

I hope these guys are not collecting salaries for the days they go on strike.

Andrew Pitugala Wednesday, 26 April 2017 09:17 AM

They will go on strike "FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE GENERAL PUBLIC"!!!!!!!

Kadiya Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:20 AM

Spray some 'Mortein' insect repellent on these cockroaches and terminate them!!!

Yeti Wednesday, 26 April 2017 07:16 AM

Amen!

Veda mathaya Wednesday, 26 April 2017 06:58 AM

Plus stop/ban private practice

GOTA Wednesday, 26 April 2017 06:01 AM

It is high time Gota is appointed secretary of Health and bring back the :"white vans:"

AliG Wednesday, 26 April 2017 05:22 AM

Well said Vernon. It's time the Government shows some backbone and take these scumbags to task.

Manusha Wednesday, 26 April 2017 05:20 AM

University lecturers too!! It is high time that Nirmal Devasiri knows that FUTA is not his private property.

Gorilla Sam Tuesday, 25 April 2017 09:37 PM

These Doctors are Traitors and shoud be put to death by firing squad via DM Android App

sivalogu@hotmail.com Wednesday, 26 April 2017 04:09 AM

GMOA is wrong

sivalogu@hotmail.com Wednesday, 26 April 2017 04:08 AM

saitem is good.

Ram Wednesday, 26 April 2017 02:23 AM

When the GMOA started to dance against Court of Appeal Judgement rediculing the decision GOSL should have taken a few of the activists for contempt. The failure resulted in many protests and it is now uncontrollable. Good lesson for the politicos

Allen Wednesday, 26 April 2017 01:26 AM

The SLMC has already declared that the training provided by SAITM is substandard. It's the Government that is trying to override the SLMC. And would you be willing to let yourself or your loved ones be treated by doctors from this institution?

Thepanis Wednesday, 26 April 2017 01:26 AM

Beaten to death, not by firing squad.

Dr.Goonatillake Wednesday, 26 April 2017 12:54 AM

It is high time the Government delt with these psychopaths as they are a menace to the society. via DM Android App

samanthaj Wednesday, 26 April 2017 12:11 AM

he looks like a fool ....they mislead the whole people in the country.

Sandy Tuesday, 25 April 2017 11:31 PM

Right to the point. They are a trade union have no right to decide policies.

ceylon Tuesday, 25 April 2017 11:23 PM

get together all unions and start to press employees to start work harddont stealincrease productionbe fair. via DM Android App

kondaya77 Tuesday, 25 April 2017 11:14 PM

The results of free education!Ungrateful lot,people suffer !!!

Munta Pissu... Tuesday, 25 April 2017 11:10 PM

Government should scrap there medical qualifications and throw them out... got all the education free and became a doctor and now taking innocent sick people as a dait to get there right which is not so important. via DM Android App

Aku Tuesday, 25 April 2017 10:15 PM

This damn GMOA should be arrested for Murder!!! Maybe let them strike and use the same methods as that Tsunami rouge did, water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets... Suggest the cannon water be colored so the culprits can be identified easy...

Vernon Tuesday, 25 April 2017 09:58 PM

If SLMC is the only institution that should be tasked with finding a solution, then just let them do their job and you all do the job what the public is paying you to do. You have no right to bring pain and death to the public who is paying your salary and perks by taking trade union action, on a matter which is not affecting your job, salary, working conditions etc. If SAITM is affecting the health of the Public, we the public and SLMC will look after. You do not have to worry about it.

Nalin Samarasinghe Tuesday, 25 April 2017 09:55 PM

High time to declare medical service as essential service. Then these thugs can spend some time in remand prison and once they realize that their private practice money is no longer coming they'll automatically surrender

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GMOA, 8 TUs to launch major strike in May

Comments - 30

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