Sri Lanka’s Government Medical Officers’ Association (GMOA) has announced a series of escalating professional actions, accusing the Health Ministry of failing to implement written agreements reached to resolve long-standing issues in the public health sector.
In a media statement dated January 25, the GMOA said the Health Minister had previously given written assurances following trade union action, but those commitments had not been implemented, prompting renewed islandwide action.
The union said the agreements included the creation of a special unified “Sri Lanka Medical Service,” the annualisation of doctors’ DAT allowances, resolving transport issues in line with circular 22/99, converting additional duty allowances into permanent allowances, resolving research and postgraduate training issues, and revising approved staffing levels in the health system.
According to the GMOA, talks were also scheduled with the Ministry of Finance from January 5 to address the issues within a defined timeframe, but progress failed to materialise.
The union said its executive committee had given the Health Ministry and the government a 10-day period to implement the agreed measures, warning that islandwide trade union action would follow if there was no response.
As a result, a 48-hour islandwide strike began at 8.00 a.m. on January 23 and ended at 8.00 a.m. today.
The GMOA said any inconvenience caused to the public as a result of the strike should be borne by the government and the Health Ministry, accusing authorities of breaching agreements and failing in their responsibility to protect the free public healthcare system.
At a subsequent executive meeting, the GMOA announced further decisions, including suspending recommendations for patients to obtain unavailable medicines and laboratory tests from external institutions, withdrawing voluntary participation in politically organised health camps, and refusing deployment to new hospital wards and units opened without approved staffing levels.
The union also said doctors would refrain from examining patients in facilities where minimum safety, privacy and support staff standards are not met.
The GMOA said hospital branch meetings will be held nationwide, and a central committee meeting is scheduled for January 28 to decide on further action, after which the next phase of professional action will be announced.
While reiterating its willingness to engage in discussions, the GMOA said it would not hesitate to take further trade union action if credible and sustainable solutions are not offered by the government. (Newswire)