GMOA to strike on Thursday

By Sheain Fernandopulle  

The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has decided to launch an islandwide work stoppage on Thursday over several issues including the failure to legalise the minimum standard of medical education and amending of the service minute for doctors, its Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said yesterday. 

“The strike will be launched for 24 hours commencing from Thursday at 8.00 a.m. We have decided to carry out emergency services at all hospitals during the time of the strike. The strike will not be in effect at all maternity and children’s hospitals, Apeksha  Hospital in Maharagama, renal treatment centres and tri-forces hospitals. We demand not to grant medical appointments on political influence and not to politicise the transfers of medical officers,” Dr. Aluthge said addressing a news briefing. 

He said the failure to enforce minimum standards of medical education had resulted in a serious situation where unqualified medical officers had been granted the opportunity to practise. 
“This is why the authorities should take prompt action to legalise the minimum standards of medical education. It has been proved in court that minimum standards of medical education should be legalised. However, Health Minister Rajitha Senaratne has blocked this procedure because he is keen on helping Dr. Neville Fernando’s colleagues to earn money. The minister wants to destroy the health sector by means of allowing unqualified medical practitioners to run the industry,” he said.  

He said the failure to enforce minimum standards of medical education had resulted in a serious situation where unqualified medical officers had been granted the opportunity to practise