Doctors withdraw services from new primary health care units

2 March 2026 12:14 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 11 Bookmark

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Colombo, March 2 (Daily Mirror) - The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has escalated its ongoing trade union action by withdrawing doctors from duties at the newly established Primary Health Care Units.

GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa told the Daily Mirror that, under current conditions, the new units are unnecessary and cannot function effectively without addressing the existing challenges.

“When there are serious concerns over staffing shortages and systemic issues in the state health sector, we don’t see any need for these units,” he said.

Since February 18, regional health officials have also stopped submitting crucial data to the Health Ministry’s central database, a system considered vital for the coordination and smooth functioning of the national health services.

Although the industrial action has not turned into a full strike, its effects are being increasingly felt in outpatient departments, where thousands of patients are experiencing delays and difficulty accessing routine medical care.

In addition, doctors have also refused to issue prescriptions for medicines that are unavailable at hospital outpatient departments, further impacting service delivery.

The GMOA has called for a series of reforms, including the creation of a “Sri Lanka Medical Service” to include doctors of all categories, updates to allowances such as the Disturbance, Availability, and Transport (DAT) allowance, conversion of the additional duty allowance into a fixed payment, and resolutions to issues related to research allowances and postgraduate study commitments.

Comments - 11

Joshua Monday, 02 March 2026 12:25 PM

Dont give into these morons. They earn enough thru.privare practice.

1 8

Buddy sahodaraya Tuesday, 03 March 2026 11:33 PM

Greedy Mudalali Ogres Association.

0 0

Nimal Jayamaha Monday, 02 March 2026 12:46 PM

This Government has increased the salaries of Doctors and other health sector workers very recently and conciderably. It is defininitely not correct to disrupt the health sector at this time when the country is just coming out of a massive economic crrises as well as a natural disaster. The Government must take strong action by sacking all doctors and cancelling their passports so that they cant go abroad. If they want to leave the country they should pay back at least 50 Million rupees to the Government. After all they have become doctors throuh the free education system. The doctors or anyone else should be allowed to hold the patients and our country to ransom !! Remember the health sector is an essential service !!

1 8

Victor Monday, 02 March 2026 01:49 PM

It would be nice if they include that they will pay back the expenses incurred in their education paid by the poor farmers and others of the country

1 8

Ram P Monday, 02 March 2026 02:59 PM

Can the GMOA confirm that withdrawing services from new primary health care units whether they comply fully with the Hippocratic oath referred to in the SLMC rules that all doctors have taken. Can the SLMC say if the Hippocratic oath is not complied whether the SCMC would take action for violation. My answer is both organisations will carry on regardless.

1 7

P Kunchithapathan Tuesday, 03 March 2026 06:30 AM

“Physicians, heal yourselves”—before presuming to heal the poor. The gravest malady afflicting the vulnerable in our society is not merely disease, but the erosion of medical ethics. When those entrusted with the sacred duty of healing falter in their professional integrity, it is the impoverished patient who suffers most. The medical fraternity in Sri Lanka appears, at times, to have been guided less by the inviolable principles of service and compassion, and more by the influence of institutional power structures. The conduct of certain professional bodies has raised serious questions regarding their commitment to ethical responsibility and uninterrupted public service. It is deeply troubling when public confidence is shaken by allegations of duty-hour absenteeism, the prioritisation of private practice, and recurrent industrial action that disrupts essential healthcare services. While every profession is entitled to advocate for fair working conditions.

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Insider Monday, 02 March 2026 03:38 PM

Why not stay at home and say "working" from home. Vultures.

1 5

Karalasingam Sivalingam Monday, 02 March 2026 04:13 PM

Doctors please suspend your strike action, until Iran Isreal war ends. SriLanka facing a fuel crisis coupled with an economic meltdown.

1 7

Citizen k Monday, 02 March 2026 05:50 PM

Best solution is future doctors should pay for their education and not have freebies.They hold the same people ransom who paid for their free education..Then we will see a more genuinely compassionate doctors who want to treat their patients following the Hypocrites oath emerge.

1 8

joshua Monday, 02 March 2026 10:00 PM

Greedy vultures surviving by fleecing the innocent sick people.

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dr.Naga Monday, 02 March 2026 10:19 PM

If a doctor has worked for 20 years, they must allow them to do private clinic.

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