Medical specialists demand separate service minute

Colombo, Jan. 18 (Daily Mirror) - The Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) has raised serious concerns over what it describes as attempts by a group of medical officers to sabotage a Cabinet-backed initiative to resolve long-standing grievances of government medical specialists, including the introduction of a separate service minute.

In a statement, the AMS said certain groups are threatening trade union action with the apparent aim of undermining ongoing government efforts to address decades-old injustices faced by medical specialists in the state health sector.

Government medical specialists, who enter service with the highest qualification level under the Sri Lanka Qualifications Framework (SLQF Level 12), have been systematically deprived of their rightful status, privileges and fair remuneration for several decades, the AMS said. 

It noted that successive salary revisions since independence have progressively eroded their service category status and relative benefits.

Despite serving as team leaders and the backbone of both curative and preventive healthcare, these issues have remained largely unresolved, the association said.

Against this backdrop, the AMS said it united government medical specialists islandwide and formally presented their grievances to the current government in November last year. The association said it understands that the Cabinet of Ministers has since taken decisions aimed at resolving these issues, including through a separate service minute for medical specialists.

The AMS described the move as a timely and far-sighted decision that would help curb the ongoing brain drain of specialists while strengthening the quality, safety and sustainability of healthcare services for the public.

The association welcomed the decision and expressed gratitude to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for what it called decisive leadership in initiating a long-awaited solution. Appreciation was also extended to Health Minister Dr Nalinda Jayatissa for presenting the proposal to Cabinet and consistently advocating for government medical specialists.

However, the AMS said it has learned from multiple sources that there are deliberate attempts by identified groups to mislead the government and medical officers through what it termed deceptive narratives and internal campaigning. Media reports have also claimed that a trade union action notice has been issued by such a group.

Furthermore, the AMS stressed that government medical specialists, united under its leadership, will not tolerate any attempt to derail the government’s initiative. 

It also urged authorities not to give in to pressure from groups seeking to obstruct the legitimate rights of medical specialists.