Doctors’ strike leaves patients in dire straits

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

Patients across the country were left in a tight spot yesterday as long queues built up at outpatient departments, with many turning up at hospitals despite a 48-hour token strike launched by the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) at government hospitals islandwide yesterday (23). 

At the Colombo National Hospital, patients were seen waiting outside the OPD from early morning, unsure whether they would be able to receive treatment, while some said they had travelled long distances only to be told that routine services were disrupted. 

The GMOA said the 48-hour token strike began at 8.00 a.m. yesterday (23) after the Health Ministry failed to implement solutions that had been agreed upon earlier despite repeated discussions and assurances.  The association said the action was aimed at pressuring authorities to resolve long-standing administrative and service-related issues affecting doctors and the public health system. 

However, the strike has pushed thousands of ordinary patients into hardship, particularly those seeking routine consultations, follow-up care and prescription refills, leaving many with no option but to wait for hours or return home without being seen by a doctor. 

The GMOA has insisted that emergency services, including accident and emergency units, maternity wards and other critical care services, will continue uninterrupted during the strike in order to ensure patient safety. 

Meanwhile, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said its members will not take part in the GMOA’s trade union action, distancing itself from the islandwide strike.