17 August 2019 10:18 am
The Government Medical Officers' Association (GMOA) has decided to launch an island-wide strike from Monday, GMOA Secretary Dr. Haritha Aluthge said.
Addressing the media, he said they would launch the strike action on any day of the week starting from Monday (19) and added the date would be announced on Monday.
“The strike will be staged with regard to several issues, mainly over the failure to legalise the minimum standards of medical education and amending of the service minute for doctors,” Dr Aluthge said.
“Although the authorities have continually been informed of the problems in the health sector, they have turned a blind eye to the issues and thus the GMOA has decided to definitely launch a strike next week,” he added.
Dr. Aluthge said the GMOA had also decided to make the public aware of the islandwide strike action using banners and leaflets, in all hospitals islandwide.
He said the failure to enforce the minimum standards of medical education had resulted in a serious situation where unqualified medical officers without the necessary qualifications had been given the opportunity to practice.
“This is why the authorities should take prompt action to legalise the minimum standards of medical education,” he said.
The decision to launch a strike was taken at a meeting of the Government Medical Association Executive Committee held on Thursday (15). (Sheain Fernandopulle)