Outstation GMOA members protest against Rajitha

By Wasantha Chandrapala, Prasad Rukmal and K. G. Karunarathne  
Members of the Ampara , Batticaloa, Badulla and Plonnaruwa branches of the Government Medical Officers’ Association held a protest yesterday in front of their respective hospitals against the activities of Minister of Health Dr. Rajitha Senaratne. They accused the minister of malpractices and deterioration of the country’s health services. They urged the government to hold a formal investigation of the allegations and to deprive him of civic rights.   
Eastern Province Coordinator of the GMOA Dr, Niroshan Liyanage said the entire health service had collapsed due to the activities of the minister. He said the GMOA was compelled to take action, as patients fall victims due to sub standard drugs.   
He pointed out that the cancer patients, children suffering from epilepsy, and diabetics, were among the patients who died of using inferior drugs. He said several children had been affected by nervous disorders due to the use of poor quality folic acid, while pregnant mothers had used the substandard iron tablets for anemia without any benefit.