Massive strike on the cards as GMOA TU action continues

By Sheain Fernandopulle 

A massive nationwide strike is now on the cards, with the Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) continuing its trade union action after talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake failed to yield a satisfactory solution. 
GMOA Secretary Dr. Prabath Sugathadasa told the Daily Mirror that although the President requested more time to address their concerns, no concrete proposal was offered. 
“Since there was no meaningful solution, we had no option but to continue the union action,” he said. 
Since last morning, doctors in hospitals islandwide have restricted several key services, including issuing prescriptions for medicines to be purchased from external pharmacies and recommending laboratory tests to be conducted at private facilities. 
Dr. Sugathadasa said the union action stems from the government’s failure to address longstanding issues in the health sector, particularly concerns raised over next year’s budget proposals. 
He warned that the GMOA is prepared to escalate to a massive nationwide strike if authorities fail to present an acceptable solution in the coming days.