GMOA opposes appointment of Chief Epidemiologist

27 March 2018 01:01 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The entire Epidemiology Unit has been defunct due the Health Ministry’s arbitrary appointment of a medical administrator to the post of Chief Epidemiologist, the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) said yesterday.

GMOA said it strongly oppose the appointment of the medical administrator as the Chief Epidemiologist who does not have sufficient knowledge or experience to function in that position.

Former Chief Epidemiologist Dr. Paba Palihawadana was appointed as the Director of the Health Promotion Bureau.

She was said to be the most experienced and qualified Epidemiologist with 25 years of experience.

Accordingly medical administrator Dr. Dissanayake was appointed as the Chief Epidemiologist by the Health Ministry.

It was learned that the appointment had been made by ignoring Dr. Samitha Ginige the next in line for the position who was only second to Dr. Paba Palihawadana by experience.

It was revealed that Dr. Ginige had performed as Acting Chief Epidemiologist during Dr. Paba Palihawadana was out of the country.

Daily Mirror reliably learned that Dr Paba Palihawadana had filed a Fundamental Rights Petition in Supreme Court which is to be taken up in due course.

The employees of the Epidemiology Unit had launched a trade union action following the new appointment and it had disrupted smooth operation of the unit.

Meanwhile, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said that the entire country could experience the consequences of trade union action launched by the epidemiology unit.

Therefore, GMOA urged the health authorities to remove the medical administrator from the position immediately. (Thilanka Kanakarathna)

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Comments - 9

Dr Deepi Smith Tuesday, 27 March 2018 01:20 AM

Is the medical administrator a trained and exam qualified epidemiologist ? How many applicants were short listed and interviewed ? Who were in the interview panel ? Deepi

Sinathamby Tuesday, 27 March 2018 01:54 AM

An Epidemiologist is a Scientist and definitely not a Doctor. The proper qualification should be a Bachelor degree in Biology followed by a PhD. Shockingly and hilariously in third world countries doctors also play the role of Scientists which results in science not ever taking root in those countries.

S.M.H Tuesday, 27 March 2018 03:11 AM

This GMOA is a pain for the Goverment Medical sector, better appoint head of GMOA as a health Minister.When earlyer regime where was this GMOA gone.Now every medical appoinment get approved by GMOA.best way to stop all private practices to Government Doctors.

lkboy Tuesday, 27 March 2018 09:40 AM

Its not about the GMOA, its about the health of the country!

Man Tuesday, 27 March 2018 10:30 AM

You shall not consult GMOA member doctors but others like SAITAM graduates to enforce freedom education but talent.

mohan Tuesday, 27 March 2018 10:46 AM

Just let seniority take over.Why mess around. Politicians create unnecessary issues by trying to satisfy their bloated ego.As for where the GMOA was during the last regime - that is why Mahinda

elmi Tuesday, 27 March 2018 10:50 AM

Same story everywhere.Politicians try to interfere everywhere. See saitm; doctors stand firm and get saitm legally abolished and send those poor kids to KDU.Neville still operating and now half baked clinicals going on.Stop this nonesence and that can be done only by LEGALLY ABOLISHING SAITM

Sunil Tuesday, 27 March 2018 10:13 AM

These scum bags are putting their finger in everywhere. It’s time to eradicate this pest of a group of thugs. They are simply placing there dogs everywhere. It’s clear to everyone by now.

Suvin Tuesday, 27 March 2018 03:29 PM

Government should start time base promotion and for those with qualifications should able to move up ranks faster.

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GMOA opposes appointment of Chief Epidemiologist

Comments - 9

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