AMS meets President to discuss key health sector reforms

19 March 2025 09:49 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 3 Bookmark

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Colombo, March 19 (Daily Mirror) - The Executive Committee of the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) met with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake today at the Presidential Secretariat to discuss critical issues in the healthcare sector.

The AMS delegation, led by its President, Dr. Saman Yasawardene, comprised 12 members. Also present at the meeting were Health Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Kumanayake, and Senior Additional Secretary Mr. Kapila Janaka Bandara.

During the discussions, AMS presented key proposals, including reforms to ensure a sustainable free health service, workplace safety for health staff, implementation of the PA 22/99 transport circular, revisions to service minutes, and allowances for extra duty and non-clinical work. The delegation provided detailed explanations on each matter, emphasizing the urgency of addressing them.

President Dissanayake welcomed AMS’s proposal on expenditure cuts and staff safety, acknowledging that the concerns raised were fair and justified. While highlighting the country’s current economic challenges, he assured that requests without significant financial implications would be addressed promptly.

Following the discussions, the President instructed the Health Minister to expedite the cabinet paper on service minute revisions. He also agreed to consider fixing extra duty allowances after reviewing the impact of after-hours off-site work. Additionally, the inclusion of medical specialists under the PA 22/99 transport circular will be assessed to determine the financial feasibility of its implementation.

AMS also reiterated the need to maintain extra duty and holiday pay rates at 1/80 and 1/20, respectively, suggesting an initial payment of two-thirds of these rates. In response, the Health Minister agreed to take further action, starting with the exclusive service minute for the medical profession.

The AMS expressed appreciation for the President’s willingness to consider their proposals and vowed to continue working with authorities to enhance the country’s healthcare system.

Comments - 3

Pathirane Thursday, 20 March 2025 02:52 AM

What AKD should have told these men is this : " You are calling yourselves as medical specialists and coming to see me to raise various issues that are not connected to medicine. But your primary duty is medicine, your job is to protect people from diseases and infections ,in this primary function you have failed miserably . COVID came and went after so many deaths but you did not know anything about the infection . Now we have Dengue going on for months, again you are completely clueless . The list of your scientific incompetence is endless yet you call yourselves as medical specialists. Now tell me why I should waste my time and listen to your non- medical complaints " ?

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Ram P Thursday, 20 March 2025 03:29 AM

When employees have to work on rosters they are called upon to work on holidays. For example Dr, A will have a day off on Wednesday on the roster and will work on Sunday in lieu of Wednesday. I cannot see any extra pay for working on Sunday. If Dr A is rostered to work on a Sunday due to work load that can qualify him for extra pay for working on a holiday which is similar to overtime

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aja Thursday, 20 March 2025 08:44 AM

Do not ask for moon and stars. face the realistic situation in Sri Lanka

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