GMOA strike, an act of sabotage, says Health Ministry

The ongoing trade union action in several districts by the Government Medical Officers Association (GMOA) is a mere act of sabotage, the Health Ministry claimed today.  

Doctors attached to the GMOA launched a 24-hour token strike starting from 8.00 am today in five districts such as Mannar, Trincomalee, Nuwara Eliya, Ratnapura and Polonnaruwa Districts against the alleged arbitrary move by Secretary to the Ministry of Health to grant post internship appointments.  

Replying to the allegations, Deputy Director General of Health Ministry (Medical Services) Dr. G. Wijesuriya said no issue had taken place in the appointments of doctors to hospitals.  

"Neither the Health Minister nor the Secretary to the Ministry can exert any influence on the internship appointments. It is purely based on vacancy list and service requirements," Dr. Wijesuriya pointed out.  

"A medical officer representing the GMOA has also recently signed the vacancy list based on which appointments have been made," he added.  

"Thus, Dr. Wijesuriya said it is apparent that the strike by the doctors is merely an act of sabotage. 

Meanwhile, GMOA Committee member Dr. Prasad Colombage said the decision whether to continue the strike would depend on the response of the Health Ministry as it is clear that there are arbitrary appointments to hospitals in order to satisfy a group of people.

"If the Health authorities failed to provide a satisfactory solution, the token strike would be extended to an island-wide affair by tomorrow," he warned. (Sheain Fernandopulle)