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GMOA launches continuous trade union action from today
The Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) yesterday announced that it will commence continuous trade union action from 8.00 a.m. today (26), citing shortcomings in facilities and staffing within the state health sector.
GMOA Media Spokesperson Dr. Chamil Wijesinghe said the action will be carried out under five specific measures while doctors continue to provide services within existing limitations.
Accordingly, doctors will refrain from issuing prescriptions for medicines not available at hospital clinics and outpatient departments to be purchased from external pharmacies. They will also not issue prescriptions or recommendations for laboratory tests unavailable within the hospital system to be carried out at private laboratories or private hospitals.
In addition, the GMOA will not support the establishment of new hospital units if the approved number of doctors cannot be provided or has not been sanctioned. The union will also withdraw support from certain clinics and health camps conducted for political purposes.
Further, Dr. Wijesinghe said that if a doctor is not provided with an assistant officer to support patient examinations at hospitals, clinics, or outpatient departments, doctors will withdraw from duties at those respective units.
Addressing the media, Dr. Wijesinghe stressed that the action does not amount to a complete withdrawal of services. “These five trade union actions are not about stopping work. We will continue to work, but only within an environment where we are able to do so,” he said.
He warned that failure to provide essential facilities could lead to the collapse of the free health service. “If the free health service collapses due to a lack of facilities, the Ministry of Health, the Minister of Health, and the government must take responsibility,” he said.
Dr. Wijesinghe also announced that the GMOA Central Committee will convene on Wednesday, January 28, to decide on further trade union action. He cautioned that the ongoing action could be intensified and reiterated that responsibility for any disruption to patient care would lie with the health authorities and the government.
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